There's a new breed of fitness motor on the store - the incline trainer. These machines are a cross between a regular treadmill and a stair climber.
You can commonly walk on a flat plane as you would a treadmill, but you can also pick to walk at very high inclines - up to 40% in some cases. The benefit is that you burn fat and get results very fast.
For example, you can burn 3X more fat walking on a 25% incline that you would on a flat incline. And you can burn 5X the fat walking on a 40% incline as compared to flat plain treadmill walking.
There are any separate types of incline trainers on the market. The most beloved are the Bowflex Treadclimbers and the NordicTrack Incline X3 Trainer.
Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses. This article will shape the normal strengths and weaknesses of incline home trainers as a whole so you can conclude if it's the right choice for you.
Strengths:
1) Burn Up To 5X the fat in a singular Workout
The main benefit to incline walking is that you can burn up to 5X more fat vs walking on a flat surface. Incline walking soldiery the larger muscles in your legs through a greater range of motion.
Because of this, you also tone and tighten up faster than you would on a regular treadmill. This also makes the incline treadmill ideal for those who don't have a lot of time to workout. You can still get your exercise in, but don't have to log hours in the gym.
2) Get the Benefits of Running Without the Stress On Your Body
With an incline workout, you can burn just as much, if not more fat than you do running. You also get similar lower body toning effects. All this without the strain and toll that running takes on your body.
3) More contract Than A Treadmill
On the whole, these machines are more contract than treadmills and take up less space. One guess is that the belts tend to be smaller (because they aren't built to be used for running). This is handy if you're short on space or need a contract motor for your home gym.
4) Lower Impact Workouts
These machines are also lower impact than traditional treadmills. Because you don't have the pounding impact from running, they can be easier on the knees and less stressful on the joints as a whole.
5) industrialized Workout Technology
Incline trainers offer some new console technology you won't find on suitable treadmills - and they're getting better every year. For example you can get 3D console graphics and even stereo systems built into some incline units.
Weaknesses:
While it is potential to run on some models for the most part, it's not recommended. You unmistakably can't run at all on a Treadclimber (they have short belts and only up to 4.5 Mph speed limits). And the NordicTrack Incline instructor has a shorter belt size (51") that might be ok for shorter runners but not for anyone over 5'8".
If you're a runner, you should probably reconsider a mid-priced to high end treadmill with exquisite cushioning and a strong deck, instead of an incline home trainer.
Also, for the new exerciser, this kind of motor might be a bit much to start out with. Walking on a 25% incline burns a lot of fat - but if you don't have much workout feel you'll surely be feeling it the next day.
Conclusion:
Incline trainers offer some great benefits like fast calorie burning and quick toning - which can get you to your weight loss goals faster. You also get the benefits of running, without the toll it takes on your joints. They're also more contract than treadmills and can give you lower impact workouts.
Keep in mind however that these machines are probably not the best choice for runners and may be a bit too much for the exercise newbie. Overall though, if you're looking for something beyond the traditional treadmill workout that gives you fast results in less time, an incline instructor may be exquisite for you.