by Chris Boettcher
Are you looking for the most sustainable way to lose weight and enhance cardiovascular performance? Forget biking, running, or swimming. The answer is simpler than you might think: incline walking. Here are seven compelling reasons why you should give it a try.
1. Low Impact
Incline walking is extremely low impact compared to other forms of cardio. You can get your cardio workout while protecting your joints and minimizing stress on your body. Try the 12-3-30 method:
- 12: Incline
- 3: Speed
- 30: Minutes
2. Burns Calories
Compared to walking on flat ground, incline walking burns approximately 50% more calories. Because you’re walking uphill, your body requires more energy to cover the same distance. A 12-3-30 session burns about 300 calories, equivalent to running 3 miles.
3. Active Recovery
Incline walking is excellent for active recovery. It:
- Flushes out lactic acid
- Improves blood circulation
- Enhances muscle flexibility
Incorporate it on rest days or after intense workouts to boost your recovery.
4. Functional Movement
Because incline walking simulates hiking or walking up a hill, it improves:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Small muscle recruitment
A couple of sessions a week is great for injury prevention.
5. Pace Controlled
The best part about utilizing a treadmill is that you can control your pace. Is the 12-3-30 approach too hard? Lower the speed or incline. Too easy? Raise it. You’re in complete control.
6. Posterior Chain Activation
Walking uphill is great for strengthening:
- Glutes
- Calves
- Hamstrings
Besides aesthetics, why is this so important? Strengthening the posterior chain:
- Improves posture
- Reduces risk of injury
- Improves explosiveness
7. Not Weather Dependent
You don’t have to worry about rain or snow to get your cardio in. Throw on an episode of Netflix, answer emails, or scroll Twitter. You can’t make an excuse not to get it in.
Summary
To recap, here are the 7 benefits of incline walking:
- Functional
- Low impact
- Burns calories
- Active recovery
- Control your pace
- Not weather dependent
- Posterior chain activation
Give incline walking a try and experience these benefits for yourself. Your body will thank you!