Treadmill or good ol' Mother Nature Walk ?

[Mary3]

I have been walking 4 miles a day for over a week.

 

I called a Fitness Instructor and she told me : " Oh, the treadmill is better than walking outdoors "

 

I love walking outside early in the morning and it just feels good. I pace it steady and walk at a pace of 3 mph .

 

She said " The treadmill is more steady pace because you set the machine "

 

Which do you think ? Free outdoors or get on a treadmill ?

[Cee]

I'm for the outdoors. You can work up to major mileage depending on where you live. I don't have a car so I walk a lot. One day, I logged 8 miles simply by walking to and from work & running errands. You could get a pedometer to see your progress.

 

Even though treadmills have inclines, you can't get things like stairs, rocks, steep hills, etc in the gym. You could also take up hiking or beach walks for the great outdoors.

 

I admit I do other exercise other than walking such as biking and running. But walking outside is how I live my life.

 

Edit: You can pace your 3 mile morning walks a bit faster each week. I can walk a mile in about 15 minutes now, maybe less sometimes. I'm hoofing it, but not out of breath and exhausted.

Edited September 20, 2010 by Cee

[Mary3]

I'm for the outdoors. You can work up to major mileage depending on where you live. I don't have a car so I walk a lot. One day, I logged 8 miles simply by walking to and from work & running errands. You could get a pedometer to see your progress.

 

Even though treadmills have inclines, you can't get things like stairs, rocks, steep hills, etc in the gym. You could also take up hiking or beach walks for the great outdoors.

 

I admit I do other exercise other than walking such as biking and running. But walking outside is how I live my life.

 

Edit: You can pace your 3 mile morning walks a bit faster each week. I can walk a mile in about 15 minutes now, maybe less sometimes. I'm hoofing it, but not out of breath and exhausted.

 

Thank you I encounter inclines , uphills, plenty of different things going on out there plus the scenery and the birds

[tman666]

I think that the mentioned "Fitness Instructor" is a moron. Outdoor running/walking is superior to anything on a treadmill. You don't actually have to propel yourself forward as much on a treadmill. You're basically just moving with the belt. That's why you can find a zillion people who can run miles and miles on treadmills but absolutely die on a real run.

 

If you want to get good at running/walking/hiking/lifting/whatever in real life, you've got to DO those things.

 

Treadmills are great tools, but I question the experience and credentials of anyone who claims that they are superior to running/walking on terra firma.

 

If timing is a problem, then bring a stopwatch with you on your walks.

[Mary3]

The outside is better because it's a more natural movement, is not flat and of course is more fun.

 

gamma ! Thank you...I need to answer your DM ....

[Mary3]

I think that the mentioned "Fitness Instructor" is a moron. Outdoor running/walking is superior to anything on a treadmill. You don't actually have to propel yourself forward as much on a treadmill. You're basically just moving with the belt. That's why you can find a zillion people who can run miles and miles on treadmills but absolutely die on a real run.

 

If you want to get good at running/walking/hiking/lifting/whatever in real life, you've got to DO those things.

 

Treadmills are great tools, but I question the experience and credentials of anyone who claims that they are superior to running/walking on terra firma.

 

If timing is a problem, then bring a stopwatch with you on your walks.

 

Thank you ! I have a question. I have asked 2 experts and do not get an explanation that makes that much sense . If I ask a layperson I get a better answer !

 

Here is the question : The process of burning fat , can you explain how the body burns fat ? Is it through energy expended ?

When you are working out heavy and sweating are you burning ?

[tman666]

Here is the question : The process of burning fat , can you explain how the body burns fat ? Is it through energy expended ?

When you are working out heavy and sweating are you burning ?

 

Lipolysis (the chemical means by which the body breaks down fat reserves) is pretty complex, and I'm not qualified to really talk about it chemically. Alan Aragon's "Girth Control" book goes into about as much depth as most people want to go without opening up an organic chemistry book.

 

Lipogenesis (the chemical means by which the body STORES fat) is triggered by a surplus of energy in the body (from the food we eat) in conjunction with hormones such as insulin. Insulin response in the body is primarily triggered by carbohydrate intake, though protein intake causes some insulin response. Fat intake does not cause insulin response.

 

After you take into account that the body follows the rules of thermodynamics, energy taken in is either stored or expelled. This means that the calories from the food you eat is either stored in the form of fat or expelled to carry out basic bodily functions (such as digestion) or through physical activity.

 

I guess the short answer to your question "when you're working out heavy and sweating, are you burning fat?", the answer is, unfortunately, a complex one that has to do with many different factors including the level of training of the individual, the type of training used, and (probably most importantly) nutritional factors.

 

I and many others have found that the higher the intensity of training (whether with weights, running, sprints, etc.) the more effective it will be for fat loss and other applications. Low intensity exercise can be good too because it is generally much lower impact, which can help speed recovery and minimize chances of injury. However lower intensity exercise is not nearly as effective.

 

Sprints are one of the best things you can do for fat loss. The main attraction with sprints is that they tend to be muscle sparing. This means that you're burning fat without burning up your hard earned muscle. I know that as a woman, you probably don't care too much about how your muscles look, but the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn during the day, the better your hormonal profile is, and the less prone you are to injury. Fat oxidation occurs for a long time after the sprint session is complete, as opposed to steady state, low intensity cardio in which fat oxidation occurs primarily during the training session only. I could go on and on about the benefits, but suffice it to say that if you train consistently and frequently at a high level of intensity (not necessarily duration) with whatever you're doing, you'll be getting ahead.

 

Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses can be applied to fat loss as well. You don't necessarily have to lift maximal weights for fat loss, but you do have to push yourself, as with anything, if you want the best results.

[Mary3]

Lipolysis (the chemical means by which the body breaks down fat reserves) is pretty complex, and I'm not qualified to really talk about it chemically. Alan Aragon's "Girth Control" book goes into about as much depth as most people want to go without opening up an organic chemistry book.

 

Lipogenesis (the chemical means by which the body STORES fat) is triggered by a surplus of energy in the body (from the food we eat) in conjunction with hormones such as insulin. Insulin response in the body is primarily triggered by carbohydrate intake, though protein intake causes some insulin response. Fat intake does not cause insulin response.

 

After you take into account that the body follows the rules of thermodynamics, energy taken in is either stored or expelled. This means that the calories from the food you eat is either stored in the form of fat or expelled to carry out basic bodily functions (such as digestion) or through physical activity.

 

I guess the short answer to your question "when you're working out heavy and sweating, are you burning fat?", the answer is, unfortunately, a complex one that has to do with many different factors including the level of training of the individual, the type of training used, and (probably most importantly) nutritional factors.

 

I and many others have found that the higher the intensity of training (whether with weights, running, sprints, etc.) the more effective it will be for fat loss and other applications. Low intensity exercise can be good too because it is generally much lower impact, which can help speed recovery and minimize chances of injury. However lower intensity exercise is not nearly as effective.

 

Sprints are one of the best things you can do for fat loss. The main attraction with sprints is that they tend to be muscle sparing. This means that you're burning fat without burning up your hard earned muscle. I know that as a woman, you probably don't care too much about how your muscles look, but the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn during the day, the better your hormonal profile is, and the less prone you are to injury. Fat oxidation occurs for a long time after the sprint session is complete, as opposed to steady state, low intensity cardio in which fat oxidation occurs primarily during the training session only. I could go on and on about the benefits, but suffice it to say that if you train consistently and frequently at a high level of intensity (not necessarily duration) with whatever you're doing, you'll be getting ahead.

 

Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses can be applied to fat loss as well. You don't necessarily have to lift maximal weights for fat loss, but you do have to push yourself, as with anything, if you want the best results.

 

Wow one of the most in depth and thoughful posts regarding Fat Burn.

 

Alot of what you have spoken reminds me of my Biology classes !

 

Now from what I studied this is what I found. Lower less strenous forms of exersize ; say walking - burns more fat. Running burns more calories.

 

So I heard walking = fat burn ------ Running = calorie burn

 

Do you agree with this at all ?

 

I am referring to almost race walking , brisk walking like you are trying to catch the missed bus , so to speak.

 

Running or high forms of strenous exersize pull more calories...

 

Thats what I heard but it may not be true 100 %...

[tman666]

I'll be honest and admit that I don't know what the significance of the distinction between walking and running is in terms of burning "calories" (which I'm assuming you're referencing glycogen stores) vs. burning "fat" (which I'm assuming you're referencing subcutaneous fat stores). I have also heard that there is a difference metabolically, but I am not sure if I know enough about it to have an intelligent discussion about it.

 

I am a big fan of walks though, especially if one is training hard in other ways because walking and high intensity training can be done concurrently without harming recovery time. In fact, I've seen some research that showed that relatively short bouts (about 15-20 minutes) of lower intensity to moderate intensity cardio (90 bpm to 120ish bmp, I think) significantly improved recovery time from higher impact training (such as heavy weight training, sprints, etc.).

 

I believe in keeping things diverse. Run, walk, sprint, lift, jump, climb, swim... do it all. They all have their benefits and detractors.

[USMCHokie]

I believe in keeping things diverse. Run, walk, sprint, lift, jump, climb, swim... do it all. They all have their benefits and detractors.

 

I think you should spend an entire day bear crawling everywhere.

[tman666]

I think you should spend an entire day bear crawling everywhere.

 

Hahahaha, I can see the looks on my co-workers faces right now.

[Star Gazer]

I think that the mentioned "Fitness Instructor" is a moron. Outdoor running/walking is superior to anything on a treadmill. You don't actually have to propel yourself forward as much on a treadmill. You're basically just moving with the belt. That's why you can find a zillion people who can run miles and miles on treadmills but absolutely die on a real run.

 

Agreed. I can run for days on a treadmill, but stick me outside and I die. Well, I used to... I'm getting a lot better these days.

 

I'd up the speed though, 3mph is pretty slow. I wouldn't even glisten, nevermind break a sweat, doing that for an hour.

[Star Gazer]

Hahahaha, I can see the looks on my co-workers faces right now.

 

I just did that over to the kitchen to see how annoying it'd be if I did it at home... I might just do this.

[johan]

I just did that over to the kitchen to see how annoying it'd be if I did it at home... I might just do this.

 

You bare crawled to the kitchen? I'd pay to see that.

[Star Gazer]

You bare crawled to the kitchen? I'd pay to see that.

 

You're so silly.

 

I BEAR crawled, yes. I figure it would be a good way to ward off mindless snacking. If I want something, I have to bear crawl there...

[johan]

Yeah. Bare crawled. That's what I said.

 

H-O-T.

[Mary3]

Yeah. Bare crawled. That's what I said.

 

H-O-T.

 

LoL Yes.. very.....!

[Mary3]

Okay day 9 and when I get done with the walk I don't feel as sore as I used to ( legs ) .

 

I want to continue this !

 

What do you guys think of Eliptical Machines ?

[Rorschach]

Elipticals are good, but the same thing happens, the machines are easier than actually running. I've been doing alot of running lately and have seen marked improvements in stamina/speed, things I've never really improved on by using a machine.

 

I think all exercise is good exercise but some things, like ellpiticals, treadmills, etc, simply burn calories walking/jogging/running/swimming etc all will actually build muscle and make you overall more healthy in addition to burning the calories.

[USMCHokie]

What do you guys think of Eliptical Machines ?

 

Not bad if you have joint issues or injuries that prevent you from running, biking, or anything else...it can also be useful if you turn the resistance up...where it takes a lot of effort to even get the thing moving...that way your muscles are constantly working instead of using momentum to keep the machine moving...

[Sphere]

I've noticed that since using a treadmill my stamina has gone up. I feel a lot fitter and healthier, but even so, I'll start up my outdoor running again.

[Mary3]

Not bad if you have joint issues or injuries that prevent you from running, biking, or anything else...it can also be useful if you turn the resistance up...where it takes a lot of effort to even get the thing moving...that way your muscles are constantly working instead of using momentum to keep the machine moving...

 

Thanks guys I love walking but I also want to weight train ... I have visited a few Gyms. Can you tell me what you are looking for in a GOOD gym ?

[tman666]

Thanks guys I love walking but I also want to weight train ... I have visited a few Gyms. Can you tell me what you are looking for in a GOOD gym ?

 

For me a good gym is one that has dumbbells that go up to at least 150 lbs, a deadlift area, squat racks, pull up bars, dip stations, chains, doesn't disallow any exercises, doesn't mind a little noise, plays some good music (preferably stuff like Metallica, Aerosmith, Tool, FFDP, Godsmack, Alice in Chains, Megadeth, etc.), allows chalk, and preferably has bumper plates and an oly. lifting platform.

[Mary3]

For me a good gym is one that has dumbbells that go up to at least 150 lbs, a deadlift area, squat racks, pull up bars, dip stations, chains, doesn't disallow any exercises, doesn't mind a little noise, plays some good music (preferably stuff like Metallica, Aerosmith, Tool, FFDP, Godsmack, Alice in Chains, Megadeth, etc.), allows chalk, and preferably has bumper plates and an oly. lifting platform.

 

OMG you just named every concert and band I love ! I have not seen FFDP but they are coming with STP in my state....TOOL was awesome ! Okay getting back to what you said....

 

I gotta check for everything you said.

 

What's a dip station ?

 

Should I do lower body one day. ie; elips and stair climber and then next day upper body with weights ?

[Mary3]

Elipticals are good, but the same thing happens, the machines are easier than actually running. I've been doing alot of running lately and have seen marked improvements in stamina/speed, things I've never really improved on by using a machine.

 

I think all exercise is good exercise but some things, like ellpiticals, treadmills, etc, simply burn calories walking/jogging/running/swimming etc all will actually build muscle and make you overall more healthy in addition to burning the calories.

 

Its funny R , one trainer said " They can't walk on my treadmills , their body is trained for outdoors but you put em on one of these and fa'gat'about !

 

Then another trainer says the outdoors is WAY better than a treadmill...go figure...hehe...