treadmill question

[shockme]

just started using my treadmill again. yesterday was the 2nd day....question-should i focus more on the miles or the time i spend doing it? or am i just nitpicking? trish

[lewsterr]

Trish, I have a really nice treadmill sitting around collecting dust. Your thread is motivating me to start using it again. For cardio-vascular health, I believe that the amount of time you spend exercising is more important than how hard you exercise. I'm cursious to hear what others have to say.

[paulT2]

should i focus more on the miles or the time i spend doing it?

IMHO what is more important is using it regularly.
Don't use it as an expensive clothes hanger and don't let it collect dust!

I use my treadmill almost every day - the days I don't use it, I'm outside in the 'real world' running.

I believe the 'official' advice on exercise is something like 30 minutes at least 5 times a week. I think that is always a good place to start from. If you find (like me) that isn't enough, then you can extend the time, frequency and/or distance to suit.

Good luck!

[MJB]

If you're keeping the speed constant then more miles=more time and more time=more miles.

So...............I don't think it really matters which one you concentrate on. :cool:

[RLK]

I would worry more about the time than the distance. Your heart doesn't care how far you went, just that you got your heartrate up for a good 20-30 minutes.

Good luck and have fun!

[mho357]

I think that the time is more important. I get 30 minutes in 6 days a week.

Mark

[peej07]

That reminds me to dig mine out and start using it again. Thanks guys.:D

[BriOnH]

When the weather isn't nice or its night time I love my treadmill. Heck even when it is nice out I will use it lol but do prefer to run outside. Lately I haven't been doing much exercise so I will just run a mile as fast as I can and stop. Like most state though, I think time is more important. The longer you can maintain an elevated heart rate I believe is much better for you then 'bursting' for distance.

Treadmills are awesome.

What kind do you guys/gals have? How would you rate it? I have a pacemaster gold (non fold up - they didn't have fold ups by PM when i bought it about 1.5 years ago). The quality has been superb (knock on wood).

[tanyatype1]

I have a Bodyguard T-540 and really love it. Doesn't fold up either and is very heavy duty. I'd recommend using the incline feature if you have it. Really intensifies the workout and burns alot more calories than no incline. When I was exercising to lose weight, I focused only on calories burned. I didn't care how long it took, I wouldn't stop until I burned 500-600 calories.

[shockme]

image quest console? had it for 9 or 10 yrs...it's got all the bells and whistles. it folds. has the incline.custom programming. i mess with the incline and speed to keep it interesting when i'm on it....trish

[Dawn]

Good for you Trish!!! Whatever you do on it counts. I've had mine lurking around for many years....it folds, inclines and other neat features. I do not hang clothes on it however if it is down I put shoes on it and Miss Princess Emily Meowmers likes to lounge on it. I rarely use it but do not want to get rid of it. I'm an optimist!!! Keep us posted.

[wiseguy]

I love my treadmill. It has built in holders for my ashtray and beer can.

[sweetcheeks]

I love my treadmill. It has built in holders for my ashtray and beer can.

LOL

My miss Libby likes to lounge on mine too.

I have a Bowflex Series 5. customizable programs etc. It folds up, has holders for beer cans as well lol. I usually listen to my ipod or watch tv while walking. It even has a handle that you can hold onto to check your heart rate or you can switch it back and forth to see how many calories you've burned in the time you've been walking.

http://webpages.charter.net/staceyspage/images/forsale/bowflex%20series%205%20001.jpg

[kgm0612]

I would worry more about the time than the distance. Your heart doesn't care how far you went, just that you got your heartrate up for a good 20-30 minutes.

I totally agree! My sister-in-law is a nurse practitioner working for a cardiologist. We both have treadmills that we use during the winter months when the weather is bad. She is always telling people they need to warm up for 5-10 minutes and then increase the speed and walk at least 30 mins at a good pace, followed by 5 or 10 minutes of cool down.

Karen

[Scratch]

The time spent is more important than the distance.