Why treadmills are so popular

People like to walk or run when they exercise. It seems natural; it's part of life. They burn calories, work muscle groups and strengthen cardiovascular parts of the body. Walking is a universal form of exercise because even people with health problems can still walk. We don't have to learn anything, we have always done it. It makes us feel good, like we have accomplished something. A treadmill is an extension of this feeling, because we can continue our exercise at home.

The sporting goods manufacturers association says that over 40 million people purchase treadmills each year. Treadmills are 1/3 of the home exercise equipment purchased. The main reason people use a treadmill is for their convenience. They can exercise in bad weather or when the workout locations are closed. They can exercise whenever they want, whether early in the morning or late at night.

While operating a treadmill, you can read, watch tv, talk with friends or listen to music and audiotapes. Since it doesn't take complete concentration, you can watch kids, work on the computer or do many other household chores. In some neighborhoods, it is safer to exercise in the home instead of on the street with traffic, muggers, dogs and children. Treadmills have several advantages over running outside and it is cheaper than most other exercise equipment. Treadmills typically burn more calories than other exercise equipment in the same amount of time.

Elliptical cross trainers have handles to work the upper body at the same time and compare to the workout on a treadmill when comparing heart rate and muscles used. The elliptical has a smoother motion so you don't have the jarring impact on the feet. There are people that say this is better and others that say it is worse. That is a matter of personal preference. The main thing is to  get the exercise one way or the other.

The concept with a treadmill is that if you want a harder workout, you increase the incline or the speed to burn more calories. Most treadmills accomplish these adjustments with a push of a button or have it preprogrammed into the system. Some people feel that elliptical machines are not natural because they have the sense of walking on air.

Since most people don't exercise for enjoyment,  but because they have been told to or know that they should, motivation is sometimes an issue. If you have a treadmill that shows the calories being burned on a readout, you can literally watch the pound float away.