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Walking on a treadmill is by far one of the easiest ways to get in shape. Treadmills are the choice of many beginning exercisers because the machines are so accommodating. The same machine that you use in the beginning when you are just walking can be the same machine that you are running on months down the road.

People who are serious about walking often choose walking on a treadmill over walking outside. They know how easy it is to procrastinate exercising if they have been forced to forego it for a few days because of bad weather. They know that having their own treadmill takes away any excuse they may have to not exercise, and it enables them to walk when it’s convenient to them.

One question that many people who start walking on a treadmill have is how much time they should walk. The answer to this question is purely individual based upon your fitness condition. Professionals say that a person should try to walk at least a half hour to an hour at a pace that is at 50-70 percent of their maximum heart rate.

You can estimate your maximum heart rate by applying a simple formula of 220 minus your age. For example, if you are 25 years old you take 220 minus 25 to get a maximum heart rate of 195. Fifty to seventy percent of that would be 98-137. Following the expert recommendations, you should strive to keep your heart rate between 98-137 beats per minute during your entire workout.

If this sounds too difficult for you, don’t panic. Simply cut those minutes into blocks. It may be easier for you to walk on your treadmill three times a day for ten minutes. The most important thing is that you try to walk every day, or as many days as you can out of the week and to keep your heart rate in that 50-70 percent zone during your workouts.

In a short amount of time you will find that your walking program will become easier and easier. This means you are getting in better fitness condition and your maximum heart rate has increased. When this happens, it’s a sign that you should intensify your walking program and go to the next level. Keep your heart rate at 60-70 percent of your new maximum heart rate and you will continue to get a stronger cardiovascular system, too.

No matter how young or old you are, or what health condition you may be in, it is never too late to start walking on a treadmill. It is easy to get healthy and fit with treadmills because they are made to be personalized. Treadmills are much like personal trainers. Their display windows can monitor your walking speed, length, calories burned, your heart rate and more. They are great exercise machines for someone just beginning to exercise and for the more advanced person who jogs or run-which could be you before you know it!

Filed under: Health & Fitness