An exercise treadmill is training equipment used not only at homes but also by cardiologists. It is referred in the medical fraternity as exercise ECG, EKG – exercise treadmill and Stress test – exercise treadmill among many other names. Before demystifying the medical significance of a treadmill, it is important to first understand the impact it has on your day to day life.
Arguably, treadmills are among the top calorie burning machines available today. If you have a very demanding schedule, yet you realize that you are adding extra fats, and your doctor is advising that you should lose some weight, a treadmill comes into perfect play here.
Doctors use exercise treadmill to screen the heart to establish its general condition- how it responds to exercise and/or stress. As you walk on a treadmill, data is collected such as your cardio electrical action on ECG, while at the same time your blood pressure is monitored closely. The data is later interpreted to establish the status of the heart – whether it requires extra oxygen in order for it to react.
On the other hand, treadmill stress tests allow doctors to establish your hearts capability to endure exercise. Consequently, suitable exercise level is determined so that a good exercise plan is developed. Stress test is also used by doctors to determine the cause of pain on the chest.
A recent survey, carried out by Sporting Goods Manufactures Association indicates that individuals spend a substantial amount of time on treadmills than on any other exercising equipment. This is attributed to the fact that exercise treadmill works out the cardiovascular muscles and has a very high calorie burning rate. A joint study was conducted by Medical College of Wisconsin and VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. They wanted to compare calories burnt on other fitness machines and those burnt on a treadmill. After 60 minutes of exercising on a treadmill, calories burnt averaged to 865-705.
Further, exercise treadmill is very beneficial. First of all, you will workout indoors, thus avoid bad weather; it has adjustable settings such as speed to accommodate both walking and running. It exerts very little or no impact at all on knee ankles, heels and back, hence records very few injuries. More sophisticated treadmills have the provision of adjusting inclines and speeds to replicate uphill or/and downhill walking or running.
When buying a treadmill, focus on long term goals. Various models and brands are available to suit basically every individual’s taste and preference. Your choice of machine will be determined by the available space in your home. If you are not on a budget, it is also advisable to purchase a heavy duty motor that will be durable. Check the thickness of the deck which ought to be ¾”-1”, to aid both walking and running. Settle on the right walking track dimension that you are comfortable with. 4”X1.5” is normally the best. Be advised that running may require a longer track dimension.
Other things to factor in are instrument control panel warrantee, brand, price, smoother decks and shock absorbers.