Which is better

It's hard to choose. I've done both as well and I got equally good workouts, but with different muscular emphasis. I feel the incline in my hamstrings, glutes and calves, and always feel a run more in my quads.
 
Anne-
From what I've read its not a matter of "better" its a matter of your goals. Inclines will work your lower body diiferently and if core is actively engaged it will be really worked as well... no incline is like doing aerobics w/ no step to me. Its still good if you get your HR up but just different on areas worked.
I think its good to do both.... keep that body guessing girl!
 
The point of aerobic training is just that, aerobic, or getting your HR up and keeping it there over a period of time. Aerobics can work certain muscles differently and that's where you need to make sure you rotate your methods or cross train. You will not "work" your muscles doing aerobics in the way you do when you weight train, so make sure not to confuse that. While it's true that walking on an incline will work your backside more (hams and glutes), you will get your HR up (depending on the incline), probably as much or higher than if you run on no incline (which I don't think you should do....you should always run on a slight incline because no incline is a little like running down hill IMO).

So, my point is, pay attention to your HR or Perceived Exercertion and pick your workouts based on that. Personally, I prefer to walk on an incline. It's just more comfortable to me and I can get my HR way up pretty easily. In fact, it's a nice workout if you do a lot of step which can emphasize the quads.

Carolyn
 
My question is why run and kill your knees(DAD HAS BAD KNEES) if walking at the incline gets the heart rate up the same? You may go less miles, but are still getting a good cardio w/o. I do the treadmill for cardio and no more goals with it. Just hard breathin and sweatin...
Oh i have the HR strap for the treadmill...
Anne
Aka( Storm)

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
I agree, walking the incline is gentler to the joints. But I love a good jog now and then! Sometimes walking on the treadmill gives me a stitch in my side, then I'll bring it up to a jog and the stitch goes away. Go figure!

Sally
 

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