When you want to lose weight, you might think that the best way to do it is to run as fast as you can. But that’s not necessarily the case. Walking on an incline can actually help you burn more fat than running, especially if you’re not used to running. Let’s look at the difference between incline walking vs running for weight loss.
The Benefits of Walking On An Incline
If you’re looking for a workout that is easy on your joints and still gives you a great cardio workout, then look no further than walking on an incline. Walking on an incline is a great way to get your heart rate up without putting too much stress on your body. And, it’s a great way to burn calories. In fact, walking on an incline can help you burn up to 50% more calories than walking on a flat surface.
Walking on an incline is also a great way to build muscle. When you walk on an incline, you are using more of your leg muscles than you would on a flat surface. This means that you are working your muscles more and building strength.
There are a few disadvantages to walking on an incline, however. First, it can be more difficult to walk on an incline than it is to walk on a flat surface. This is because you have to use more energy to walk uphill.
Additionally, walking on an incline can put more stress on your joints, which can lead to pain or injury. Finally, if you’re not used to walking on an incline, you can easily get tired and winded.
If incline walking is too hard, you can still get a good workout if you walk on the flat ground. But remember that there is nothing better than walking on an incline to make your muscles work harder and help you burn more calories during your workout.
Also read: The Best Inspirational Walking Quotes to Motivate You To Walk Every Day
The Benefits of Running
Running is a great cardiovascular exercise and there are tons of benefits to running. For starters, running is a more efficient way to move your body. It requires less time and effort to cover the same distance as walking, so you can burn more calories in less time. Additionally, running is a higher-impact activity than walking, which means it can help you build strong bones and muscles.
Running is an effective way to lose weight, get in shape and improve overall health, In addition to meeting your fitness goals, running also has some mental health benefits. It’s also a great way to clear your head, relieve stress, and boost your mood.
While running is a great way to get some exercise, there are also some disadvantages to it. For one, running can be hard on your knee joints, especially if you do it on a hard surface like concrete. Additionally, running in hot weather can be dangerous and can lead to heat stroke. And finally, running can be boring if you do it by yourself for too long.
So if you’re thinking about starting to run, be sure to consider these disadvantages. But don’t let them deter you from getting out there and getting some exercise!
Also read: The Top 50 Best Running Cadence Songs to Help You Stay on Pace
Incline Walking vs Running for Weight Loss
There are a lot of different opinions on this topic, but I’m here to give you the facts. There’s no doubt that both walking and running are great exercises for burning calories. But which is better for burning fat and weight loss – walking on an incline or running?
The answer may surprise you. Studies have shown that walking on an incline has a higher calorie burn rate and can actually burn more calories and fat than running, even if you walk at a slower pace!
If you walk or run on a level surface, you will burn more calories if you go at a high speed. However, if you keep walking at the same pace but just increase the incline, your heart rate will continue to rise even if your speed eventually slows. This means that you can incline walk at a slower pace and burn more calories and fat!
The reason incline walking and running are more effective than exercising on a flat surface is because you use more muscles, specifically the posterior chain muscles. These muscles stretch across the back of your body and include your glutes, hamstrings, and calves.
So as you use and gain more muscles while walking on an incline, your metabolic rate increases, Subsequently, you’ll burn more calories when you are not exercising and resting. Over time this could lead to more weight loss, more muscle tone, and better cardiovascular fitness.
Walking on an incline can also help you break the dreaded, but sometimes inevitable, weight loss plateau. Adding incline to your walking routine can break up your exercise routine and can help overcome a plateau as the constant change in incline shocks the body and helps to burn more calories.
The final benefit of walking on an incline is the engagement of your abdominal, back, and leg muscles. Strengthening these muscles is an essential part of your overall fitness and can help you improve your general well-being. And once again, having strong muscles also increases the number of calories you burn to help with weight loss.
So if you’re looking to burn some extra calories, try walking on an incline the next time you hit the treadmill and use the incline feature or head outdoors for the hills.
Remember, however, if you do incline training on a real hill be prepared for the downhill portions. Walking downhill put more load on thigh muscles and knee and may cause knee pain.
Also read: The Truth About the Rowing Machine vs Treadmill: Which is Better for You?
How to Start Walking On An Incline
It’s best to use a treadmill for your incline walking workout. This way you have better control of the percent incline and intensity level. Here’s how to get started:
1. Choose an incline. If you’re just starting out, try walking on a slight incline to start. You can gradually increase the incline as you get more comfortable.
2. Start slow. When you first start walking on an incline, take it slowly to get used to the incline.
If you are new to fitness, you may consider getting a personal trainer to help you start incline treadmill walking. As always, do check with your doctor before you start a new exercise program.
Will You Try Incline Walking?
The bottom line is that the you will burn more calories and finish faster if you do a 30-minute run rather than a 30-minute walk. However, the good news is that you can actually increase calories and fat burning if you walk on an incline! This is true even if you run at a faster pace!
At the end of the day, the type of exercise that burns more calories and fat is the one that you’ll stick with. Your personal preference is the most important factor. If you enjoy walking on an incline, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and see results. But if you prefer running, you can also burn a lot of calories and improve your fitness. Or depending on your fitness level, do both cardio workouts! A good idea is to incorporate both walking on an incline and running as part of your workout routine.
So, which will you try? Walking on an incline or running for weight loss? If you’re looking for a workout that is muscle building, easier on your joints and reduces the risk of injury, then walking on an incline is a great choice. If you have a lot of weight to lose, walking on an incline may be easier than running for you.
If you’re looking for a workout that will help you burn more calories in a shorter amount of time and is great for your cardiovascular health, then running is a better option.
The good news is that you have two great options to help with your weight loss journey! Good luck!
