Treadmill Walking - Part 1 - Health Plus Digest

Walking on a treadmill will give you the same benefits you’ll experience from walking outside – with one or two specific differences. Walking at a brisk pace is one of those exercises that seems to have it all.

For instance, you can find walking groups in almost every city around the world. Walking is a low impact sport and easy on the joints, so even people with arthritis can walk at a brisk pace without endangering their health. Walking has very specific cardiovascular benefits, improves your overall health, lifts your mood and helps you to lose weight.

Before starting any exercise program it’s important to discuss your plans with your doctor to be sure they don’t interfere with your current medical conditions or medicines you are taking. While walking and moving are good for arthritis, your particular diagnosis of arthritis (and there are over 100 different types of arthritis!) may not fall into that category. Check with your doctor first.

Walking on a treadmill, and not outside, has additional benefits. On a treadmill you can:

1. walk indoors when the weather is poor

2. watch your favorite television show or a video/movie and be productive during your walking time

3. change the percentage of incline you are walking with the touch of a button instead of searching for a route with hills

4. set the machine to the pace you want to maintain so you don’t get distracted and slow down

Resources:

RunnersWorld: Running and Walking on the Treadmill

http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line/running-and-walking-treadmill

FAmilyCircle: Beginner Treadmill Walking Workout

http://www.familycircle.com/health/walking/workouts/treadmill-walking-workouts-for-beginngers/

Chron: Treadmill Walking for Effective Fat Loss

http://livehealthy.chron.com/treadmill-walking-effective-fat-loss-1390.html