Fitness | Equipment

The 3 Main Benefits of an Incline Treadmill

Have you heard of incline treadmills? By simulating uphill and downhill runs, they offer a new way to work out at home. With an incline of up to 40% and a decline of up to -6% depending on the model, discover the three main benefits of incline treadmills.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

• An incline treadmill allows you to simulate changes in terrain, including uphill, downhill, and flat sections.
• Adjusting the incline allows you to increase the intensity of your workout without necessarily increasing your speed.
• Hill workouts place greater demands on certain muscle groups, particularly the quadriceps, glutes, and calves.
• With iFIT, you get access to more than 10,000 workouts from all over the world, with automatic adjustment of incline and decline to replicate changes in terrain throughout your workout.
• The incline treadmill lets you vary your at-home workouts, from simulated outdoor running to strength training and power workouts.

1. Plan your outdoor runs with an incline-adjustable treadmill

Hiking and running trails typically alternate between uphill, downhill, and flat terrain. This variety of terrain requires you to change your pace and posture—which is what makes outdoor training so appealing.

What if you could recreate those sensations on a treadmill at home? It’s possible with our top-rated NordicTrack incline treadmills. Thanks to their compatibility with iFIT, an immersive coaching technology, NordicTrack incline treadmills let you prepare for your next real-world outings. You’ll have access to a library of over 10,000 workouts from all over the world. As you work out, your treadmill can automatically adjust the incline and decline to mimic changes in terrain, allowing you to experience the feel of an outdoor run right at home. This way, you can vary your workouts and prepare for your next outdoor adventures—all from the comfort of your own home.

2. Increase your calorie burn by adjusting the incline

Is your goal to lose weight and get a more toned and muscular body? An incline treadmill can be a great ally. The steeper the incline, the greater the effort required and the higher the calorie burn.For example, for a 90-kg person walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill, calorie burn increases from 87 calories on a flat surface to 157 calories at a 10° incline, and then to 381 calories at a 40° incline—nearly five times more than on a flat surface.The incline therefore allows you to significantly increase the intensity of the workout without necessarily increasing your speed.

3. Engage More Muscles with an Incline Treadmill

You’ve probably noticed: when you’re hiking in the mountains, you experience unusual muscle soreness. Your quadriceps “burn,” of course, but your glutes and calves also feel it much more. This is normal, since running uphill puts you in different positions. It’s a matter of running biomechanics: when going uphill, you push off the ground much more easily with the ball of your foot than with your heel, and you engage your glutes more.
With an incline treadmill:

• You can simulate different types of terrain directly on your treadmill, allowing you to vary your workouts;
• By adjusting the incline, you’re doing a more comprehensive form of dynamic strength training than you would on a traditional treadmill;
• You build power through hill workouts.

A more fun and varied workout with an incline treadmill

Among home fitness equipment, the incline treadmill offers a wide range of workout options. You can adjust the incline levels, work on your stride, incorporate strength training exercises, and tailor your workouts to your goals. A great workout is guaranteed. All you have to do is discover NordicTrack’s incline treadmills.

DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional. NordicTrack recommends that you consult your doctor before making any changes to your daily physical activity or exercise routine. Back to the feature: Fitness or Equipment