4 Best Fat Burning Treadmill Workouts That Actually Work

James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Published by James Cunningham, BSc, CPT | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: February 16, 2024
Our content is meticulously researched and reviewed by an expert team of fact checkers and medical professionals. They ensure accuracy, relevance, and timeliness using the latest reputable sources, which are cited within the text and listed at the end of the article. Before publication and upon significant updates, we confirm factual accuracy, committed to providing readers with well-informed content. Learn more.

I’ve tried all sorts of calorie-burning exercises in my decade-long experience as a fitness trainer.

If you are able to maintain consistent strength training, a cyclical calorie deficit diet, and regular cardio such as treadmill workouts, you’ll burn that belly fat in no time. Personally, I’ve witnessed incredible results with my clients with the treadmill alone.

Now, I’ve gathered all the insights from my experiences over the years, and I’ve also done in-depth studies on this workout and verified the information with my colleagues at Total Shape to produce this piece.

Let’s dive in.

Quick Summary

  • To effectively lose weight and burn fat, incorporate treadmill workouts such as running or brisk walking, which engage multiple muscle groups and elevate heart rate.
  • It takes two weeks of proper treadwheel training to start noticing ease in working out.
  • A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study finds that 30 minutes of daily treadmill walking effectively burns fat, aligning with the broader recommendation of 150-300 minutes of exercise per week.
  • In my opinion, the combination of different treadmill workouts, as suggested in the article, offers a comprehensive approach to fat burning, catering to individuals at various fitness levels.

Is Running on a Treadmill a Good Way to Lose Weight?

Drawing from my experience, I can affirm that running on a treadmill is an effective way to lose weight

By simply walking and jogging on a treadmill, you subject yourself to health benefits, including improved cardiovascular benefits, better sleep, improved mood, and overall health.

Adding a treadmill workout to your routine can help you lose weight. Running or brisk walking on a treadmill engages multiple muscle groups and elevates your heart rate, resulting in a higher calorie burn. Cardiovascular activity helps you shed pounds and improves your overall fitness level.

Combine your treadmill sessions with a well-balanced diet for optimal results. So, if you want to lose weight and improve your physical fitness, running on a treadmill can be a valuable addition to your workout routine.

“One of the best machines you can use for anaerobic interval work is a treadmill.”

- Tim Liu, CSCS, Fitness & Nutrition Coach & Founder of  www.timliufitness.com & Author at eatthis.com

4 Best Treadmill Workouts For Weight Loss

Using a treadmill for exercise

Before we start, ensure you warm up to get your body ready and prevent injuries. Also, try different workouts because doing the same workout can be stressful to your joints. And if it's your first time, consult a personal trainer before starting.

1. Incline Treadmill Walk

According to a study published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, while the Physical Activity Guidelines of America recommends 150-300 minutes of exercise daily, walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes daily is enough to burn fat [1].

Now, to benefit more from treadmill workouts, add intensity to your routines. You see, rigorous training translates to burning more calories. For instance, adding the incline variation to the regular treadmill routine requires more muscle engagement than using a flat surface.

For the incline treadmill walk, set your treadmill at a high incline of about 15 degrees, then set the speed at 3 miles per hour. If you maintain the pace for about half an hour, your heart rate will rise.

Related: Does Walking on an Incline Burn Fat?

2. Incline Treadmill Sprints

An inclined treadmill to be used for sprints

The incline treadmill sprint is one of the high-intensity interval training workouts that you need to incorporate for maximum fat loss on the treadmill

A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that HIIT workouts are super effective in burning fat and weight loss and more efficient than steady-state cardio [2].

HIIT workouts involve a combination of alternating periods of high-intensity workouts and lower-intensity exercises. During high-intensity intervals, the body burns lots of calories.

You push your body to the maximum with high-intensity bursts of exercise for shorter periods before taking rest intervals and recovery periods.

Set the treadmill at a 10% incline for the incline sprint with a speed higher than your regular jog. Now, hop on and sprint hard for about half a minute. Once done, grab the handles on the side of the treadmill and jump on the non-moving part. Do this for about ten rounds.

3. Incline Run/Walk Intervals

The incline run and walk is slower than the treadmill sprint, although it's still a high-intensity exercise.

For this treadmill routine, set the incline at about 2.5%. Begin with a run at a pace you can maintain for about a minute. Then slow down to a walk for another minute or two. Rinse and repeat

4. Deadmill Sprint

Running on a treadmill

The final HIIT treadmill workout is done with the machine off.

Just place your hands on the machine’s handles, then lean and push with your legs. You’ll have to go as hard as possible for the belt to start moving.

If you’re starting, sprint for about 10-15 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds.

Repeat for a few rounds depending on your fitness level.

Whether you are using a treadmill at the gym or you looking to get a compact treadmill for your home, it would be a great addition to your weight loss goal.

FAQs

Should I Use the Treadmill Every Day?

No, you don't necessarily have to use the treadmill every day. About 3-4 times a week should be enough to get you the desired weight loss results. You may use it up to 5 times a week with one or two rest days.

How Long Does It Take To See Results From the Treadmill?

It will take around 2-3 weeks of dedication on the treadmill to start seeing results. The first change you’ll notice is less difficulty.

Meaning it's time to make it more challenging. However, it may take less than a week for heavy people to start seeing weight loss differences.

How Do I Target Belly Fat on the Treadmill?

By performing more incline treadmill exercises, you target belly fat more. Turn up the incline and sprint hard for about 20 seconds.

As you do this, forcefully squeeze your abs and when the 20 seconds are done, grab the handrails to place your feet where there is no movement.


References:

  1. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28401638/
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Education: Republic Polytechnic
Lives in: Singapore
Learn more about our editorial policy
Dr. Harshi Dhingra, MBBS, MD
Dr. Harshi Dhingra, MBBS, MD
Medical Doctor
Education: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
Lives in: Bathinda, Punjab, India
Learn more about our editorial policy

You May Also Like

A woman doing cardio outside
By Christiana Mikesch, CPT 2 months ago
Best Calorie Burning Exercises (Must-Try Routines)
Man performing workout indoors wearing his earphones
By Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC 2 months ago
4 Best Fat Burning HIIT Workouts (To Shed Pounds Fast)
Green Vibrance Review Featured Image
By Lisa Lorraine Taylor, BSc, CPT 3 months ago
Green Vibrance Review (2024) Does This Actually Work?
Top view of different smart drugs
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 16 days ago
Do Nootropics Actually Work? (Explained by a Dietician)
10 Best Energy Pills in a row
By Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC 4 months ago
The Best Energy Pills (2024) Supplements That Actually Work

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *