What Incline Should I Set On The Treadmill?

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How to Find the Right Incline on the Treadmill

When most people step on a treadmill, they face a wall of options. How fast should I run? What incline should I use? What distance should I try to cover? With so many choices, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and just pick a random number for each option. But if you want to get the most out of your treadmill workout, it’s important to put some thought into each setting. In this post, we’ll focus on how to find the right incline.

Why Incline Matters

The biggest reason to pay attention to the incline setting on your treadmill is that it can help you avoid injury. If you’re running at too high of an incline, you put unnecessary stress on your joints and muscles. This can lead to things like shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and other overuse injuries. On the other hand, if you’re not running at a high enough incline, you’re not reaping all the benefits of using a treadmill. A moderate incline simulates outdoor running conditions more closely than a zero-incline setting, which means it better prepares your body for races or other outdoor workouts.

How to Find the Right Incline

A good rule of thumb is to start with a two per cent incline and increase from there. If you’re feeling like you could run forever at that incline, bump it up by another percentage point or two. Keep increasing until you find an incline that feels challenging but doable. Once you’ve found that sweet spot, stick with it for the rest of your workout. And be sure to warm up at a lower incline before cranking up the intensity!

Conclusion

So to answer the question ‘what incline should I set on the treadmill?’ in short, there’s no magic number when it comes to finding the right treadmill incline. Start with a moderate incline and increase until you find an intensity that feels challenging but manageable. And as always, be sure to warm up before increasing the intensity of your workout!

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FAQs

Do the incline settings mimic wind resistance during a treadmill workout?

The short answer is yes. When you increase the incline on a treadmill, you are essentially simulating a hill climb or running into the wind. This makes your workout more challenging and can help you burn more calories. A slight incline is, in essence, like a slight headwind/breeze and slightly more challenging than simply running on a flat surface.

Therefore do increasing treadmill inclines make it feel like a stronger wind?

Yes.

Will I lose weight faster on an incline?

Yes, you will burn more calories on an incline. In fact, you can expect to burn up to five per cent more calories for every one per cent incline. So if you’re looking to lose weight, cranking up the incline is a great way to do it!

Do most treadmills have an incline option?

Most treadmills do have an incline option, although there are some models that do not. If you’re unsure whether or not your treadmill has an incline option, be sure to read the specification in detail and if still unsure, contact the manufacturer to confirm.

Can you practise interval training on an incline treadmill, and does a treadmill’s incline matter?

Yes, you can. Interval training is a great way to improve your speed and endurance. And because incline treadmills offer more of a challenge than flat treadmills, this incline function means they’re the perfect tool for interval training.

…and, in my opinion, the best treadmill workout options – especially the ones with a very steep incline setting.

Do steep inclines equate to greater weight loss?

A higher incline feature will increase the number of calories burned. Consistent use will also help raise your basic fitness level.

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