Bust a Gut on the Treadmill

by Jari Love

You know that time spent on the treadmill gives you a great cardio workout, but did you know that it can actually be even more effective than pumping iron for getting rid of belly fat? That’s great news for people who hate weight training but don’t mind hopping on the treadmill a few times a week.

 Belly fat isn’t quite like arm flab or butt sag. It’s far more dangerous, because it’s actually packed around your body’s internal organs. It’s linked to various types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular problems and type 2 diabetes, and it’s believed to contribute to premature death.

 According to Time Magazine, a new study conducted by Duke University researchers monitored 196 overweight, sedentary adults ranging in age from 18-70. They divided them randomly into a group that did three sets of weight training (8-12 reps for 3 days a week), another that jogged 12 miles each week at a heart rate of 80%, and another that did both weight training and aerobics. At the end of 8 months the aerobic/weight training group lost noticeable amounts of belly fat. The group that did aerobic training alone had the same results! What about the benefit to the weight training group? There was no significant benefit.

 Clearly, the humble treadmill is one of the best ways you can exercise to lose that dangerous belly fat. And not only will it help you reduce your waistline, it’s great for your overall health as well. Regular aerobic exercise helps you lose weight, and the cardio benefits help lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.

 For the most effective treadmill workout, switch it up from time to time. Interval training, which consists of short, intense periods of running or jogging on an incline followed by a slower pace, helps you ratchet up your calorie burn rate so you melt off the fat quickly. As long as your body feels challenged, you’re getting it right.

 To maximize the benefits of your treadmill workout, you should also follow a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Remember to drink lots of water – it helps you stay properly hydrated and aids in flushing toxins from your body. Don’t try to lose weight too quickly. Usually two pounds per week is a safe goal, and you can reach it just by doing thirty minutes on the treadmill each day!

Jari Love – original creator of Get RIPPED! DVD series and group exercise classes. The hot-selling and critically acclaimed Get RIPPED! series enables individuals of any fitness level to burn up to three times more calories than the traditional weight-training program, and has received rave reviews from fitness critics throughout North America since the first title debuted in late 2005.