Treadmill Incline?

[kaija]

I was just wondering if anyone recommended that I fast walk on an incline on the treadmill for my cardio routine. A trainer suggested that I do, but I thought that was for someone who wanted to bulk up their legs and thighs. I'm bottom heavy. Suggestions?

I get on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day @ 3.5 walking speed.

BTW...I've cut out diet supplements (yeah for me, cursor!) and I've successfully lost 8lbs. (After gaining two) It's not a lot, but hey...I'm happy with it! 40 more lbs. to go!

Just to give you guys some background, I didn't have access to a gym until last month.

[DexMan]

Walking at a incline will be more difficult of course, but what will happen is that you'll work your hip flexors more and a little bit of your glutes. And since it's "harder" work, your HR will go up quicker... But the thing to be careful of on a incline treadmill is that you do not lean forward, you need to keep your hips under you...(this happens mainly when you get tired) And your abdominals are the ones that help do this, so walking/running at an incline will also help with abdominal strength (mainly lower)...

[kaija]

Hmm, ok will do. Thanks!

[gymrat]

I would focus on hitting your target heart rate zone. What activity you do for cardio isn't terribly important as long as your heart rate is up for an extended period of time. :

[kaija]

The treadmill assumes that my target heartrate is 127. Yesterday, I used the Fat Burn mode, and it kept slowing down when my heartrate went too high, or speeding up when it were too low.

I wasn't sure what was more significant here. BUT...I do wonder if my heartrate should be ideally @ 127 if I am 5'10" and 181lbs?

[DexMan]

Here is a simple equation to help find your % of HR.

220-AGE = Max Heart Rate
Max Heart Rate divided by .8 = 80% of your maximum HR
Max Heart Rate divided by .6 = 60% of your maximum HR

Usually the interval and weight loss setting on exercise equipment try to keep your heart rate "bouncing" between those two percents.