Chances are that you already know your treadmill can help you
lose weight, stay fit, and protect you from the ravages of age
related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
But here are 3 MORE benefits of treadmill exercise you might NOT
know!
#1 Walking on A Treadmill Helps Alleviate Depression
A recent study at Duke University found that even as little as
eight minutes on a treadmill can help to dramatically, although
temporarily, reduce symptoms of depression.
While researchers already knew that longer, sustained regular
exercise helps to alleviate depression over the long term, this
study proves that even short, vigorous workouts can have a
similar helpful effect.
#2) Having Trouble Sleeping?
While it's always been thought that vigorous exercise during
the day will help improve sleep, the actual evidence to prove it
hasn't necessarily been forthcoming - until now.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted
a study that included 43 adult volunteers ages 50 to 76. All of
them were sedentary and had reported moderate sleep complaints.
They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group was
asked to exercise 30 to 40 minutes, four times a week. The other
group did not change from their non-active ways.
Those who exercised cut the time it normally took to fall asleep
in half (while there was no change in the non-active group). The
exercisers also rated their nighttime sleep as significantly
improved.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association also reports that people who performed regular
aerobic exercise or brisk walking slept almost an hour longer
than those who did not exercise.
#3) More Efficient Workouts for the Time Pressed
Surveys of fitness professionals by the American Council on
Exercise show that one of the fitness trends for 2004 will be
workouts that accommodate the time-starved exerciser by being
more efficient in a shorter time period.
With their built-in workout programs, controllable inclines and
even heart rate monitors, treadmills allow you to custom tailor
your workout to your time frame.
How about setting your fat-burning program for 20 minutes in the
morning? Or why not do 15 minutes of incline intervals to keep
your metabolism elevated throughout the day?
One of the biggest barriers to exercising is the lack of time.
By using the tools available with your machine, a treadmill you
can pack major cardiovascular benefits into a smaller time
frame.
Any way you look at it, a treadmill is a great investment in
your health and well being. By using it consistently to work
out, you'll be reaping major health benefits! Enjoy!
About the author:
Kathryn O'Neill is chief editor for
Treadmill Reviews, a
consumer oriented website focusing on the home treadmill market.
For more treadmill buying tips, brand reviews and best buys
visit
http://www.TreadmillReview.
net
