You definitely already know that exercising on a regular basis is one of the best things that you can do for your body. Staying active is essential for so many different reasons and it isn’t only because of keeping your weight at a moderate level. Today we’re here to talk about the benefits of treadmills and why running on one can be better than running outdoors.
That being said, running is excellent for your health in general, but it’s even better when you have a treadmill in your own home. There are numerous health benefits that come with having a treadmill, plus a whole bunch of other advantages too. Keep reading our in-depth review of treadmills and the benefits they bring you!
Benefit #1: Reduced Impact
One of the big benefits when it comes to running on a treadmill is that it reduces the impact much better than running on the street or other outdoor surfaces. Every time you take a step while running on the pavement, dirt, or other even and hard surfaces your legs take a lot of impact, especially when you go fast.
Eventually, this can cause ankle, knee, and back problems because pavement is hard and stepping on rocks the wrong way too many times doesn’t help either. These are problems that can become very severe in our old age and even cause painful bone problems as we age.
A treadmill is great this way because they have a relatively soft surface to run on, not to mention the modern version come with some shock absorption too. This means that your joints take less impact. There’s also the fact that the treadmill offers an even running platform that doesn’t throw any surprises your way. They provide you with a reliable surface to run on that you know is not going to cause you joint pain and other aches.
Benefit #2: You Are In Control
Something else that will really benefit you if you choose to run on a treadmill is the fact that you are completely in control. Depending on your fitness level you may want to have a light workout or you might be an experienced runner wanting an intense workout. The point is that on a treadmill you can control all of the aspects to suit your fitness level to a tee.
You are in control of the warm up and cool down, the speed and incline, and even how much energy you expend on a certain amount of time. It’s great for people of all fitness levels because you can customize the workout to your liking. Even if you are a beginner you can make a treadmill work for you; you won’t be a beginner forever!
Plus most treadmills also come with programmable capabilities so you can customize your run down to the exact minute, kilometer, and speed too. The best part is that you get to see what your fitness level is and how hard you are pushing your body. This thanks to the fitness trackers and heart rate monitors that many models now come with, items which are great for seeing the progress you make over a certain period of time.
Benefit #3: They Simulate Race Courses
Another big advantage of running on a treadmill is that it can help you train for your next big race or that ultra-long marathon with ease. Being programmable isn’t just convenient because it also means that you can simulate a real race with them. You can control the speed and the incline of a treadmill and that comes in really handy for race day. Being able to train for a race in conditions that are as close as possible to the real thing is very important and can make the difference between winning or losing the race.
If you know what the terrain and the route of your next race are like, you can program those statistics, such as the incline and pace, into the machine in order to get you as prepared as can be. For every hill that stands in your way you can literally account for it months before you actually have to run the race. Some of the newest models of treadmills actually come with specialized race simulation software.
Benefit #4: Mental Health And Motivation
The next big boost that you get from running on a treadmill is that it can really help your brain function better, be healthier, and make you feel much happier. The first reason for this is because running and aerobic exercises like biking cause your brain to release increased amounts of endorphins. Endorphins are the chemical compounds in your brain which make you feel happy. Therefore running on a treadmill at home can directly contribute to the relief of depression and anxiety.
You’ve probably heard of something called the runner’s high, which is when a runner has gone a far distance and feels a sensation of elated euphoria and happiness. For some, it may feel like you are on happy pills, but it’s actually all because of the naturally occurring endorphins induced by running. It’s actually also shown that something called endocannabinoids is produced during physical exercise, another naturally occurring brain chemical that makes you feel happy.
Feeling happier on a regular basis will make you more satisfied with every workout, thus contributing towards more motivation to run even harder the next time. Being able to completely control the way you run is a big motivating factor too. Plus there’s the fact that you can listen to music, read a book, or even watch TV as you run on your treadmill. Finding the motivation to run has never been easier thanks to the many options that treadmills give you.
Benefit #5: Heart Health
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits that come along with running on a regular basis is that it is great for your cardiovascular health, or in other words the health of your heart. For one, regular aerobic exercise helps to increase the strength of your heart and the circulation of blood in your body. More circulation actually means that your muscles get more oxygen, thus being able to work harder for longer and getting more results from every run too.
A stronger heart also means lowering your blood pressure, something which is essential for sufferers of high blood pressure. This can go a long way in preventing heart disease and the risk of suffering something like a heart attack.
Another heart benefit you get from running on a treadmill is that it decreases bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol. This helps to combat heart and blood vessel disease by keeping your arteries clear of fatty blockages. On a side note, most treadmills come with a heart rate monitor which lets you keep a close eye on your heart rate, something which is useful if you are concerned with your heart health.
Benefit #6: Treadmills Are Convenient, Safe, And Private
Another really big benefit that comes along with running on a treadmill is that it is very convenient. You don’t have to go anywhere to run on it. You don’t need to go to the gym to exercise and you don’t have to run on the road either. It’s really convenient to own a treadmill because you can easily work out at any time of the day and you can even watch TV while you do it.
Running on a treadmill is much safer than running outdoors. It’s a lot safer because you don’t run the risk of being hit by a car while running on the sidewalk or road, something which is a pretty big problem during the night time. This is especially true for women who are vulnerable to harassment when they are running alone. Plus running at home on your own treadmill is private which is great if you don’t like people watching you while you work out.
Benefit #7: Weight Loss
The next reason as to why running on a treadmill is great is because it can help you lose weight pretty quickly. Running on a treadmill can easily burn away 100 calories for every mile that you run. Thus if you run 6 miles in one hour you can burn 600 calories; that’s a lot. You can burn even more calories if you run at full speed and add a serious level of intensity to your workout. Running is actually better for weight loss than other aerobic exercises such as cycling so that’s definitely another plus.
Benefit #8: Muscle Building
You may think that running is only good for your cardio and stamina, but that definitely is not the case because it does so much more. Running does, of course, use your muscles and that means building those same muscles too. The more you run the more the muscles in your legs will build up. Therefore the more you run the stronger your leg muscles will get. Depending on how you run, say with your abdominal muscles flexed, you can help increase your core strength too. Running can even build up your arm muscles simply due to the fact that you swing them while you run. Running on a treadmill truly does have endless benefits.
Benefit #9: Improved Joint Flexibility
Joint flexibility is really important in terms of staying mobile and remaining upright, especially in your old age. Increased joint flexibility can combat degenerative bone diseases, arthritis, and other conditions which limit flexibility. Running on a treadmill on a regular basis will reduce the risk of getting conditions which limit flexibility and mobility. Or if it doesn’t stop you from getting those conditions, it will at least slow them down and keep you more mobile.
Benefit #10: Easy To Use
Something that we personally really love about treadmills is that they are extremely easy to use and require virtually no effort to set up or get going. All you need to do is to press some buttons on the control panel, choose the settings you want, and start running. Even if you don’t understand the treadmill completely, they all come with instruction manuals and that makes things as easy as could possibly be.
Benefit #11: Building Bone Density
A really great part about running on a regular basis is that you will help to build your bone density. What bone density refers to is the amount of minerals in your bones that contribute to their strength and durability. The more you run the more minerals will be present inside your bones, thus making them stronger. Having a higher bone density aids in combatting diseases such as osteoporosis, a disease which makes your bones brittle and your joints painful to move. Load bearing exercises such as running are great for strengthening bones, plus the treadmill is a great way to run without injuring your joints due to it being a lower impact exercise.
Conclusion
As you can see there are a great number of advantages you get from running on a regular basis, plus there are even more benefits if you are lucky enough to own your own treadmill. Using a treadmill, you can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and joint related health problems. You can increase your muscle strength and stamina, plus you can increase the strength of your bones too. Treadmills are safe, private, convenient, and really easy to use as well. We hope that we could shed some light on the many benefits of treadmills because we want to keep you healthy and a great way to do that is with everybody’s favorite workout tool!