Do not use treadmill for the cardio

[nvedia]

I was doing treadmill till now for cardio
Treadmill HIIT - No Thanks
This article makes me think I was doing wrong?

[Dulish]

I think the argument for or against ANY form of cardio machine can be made (i.e. the elliptical is useless because it's so unlike any "real life" movement). My opinion is whatever you will DO is a good form of cardio HIIT.

I use the step mill and while I'm not anywhere near "running" the steps at my highest, my legs are screaming and my heart rate is up over 95%, so, is it "perfect"? Probably not. Is it effective? You bet it is.

Don't go for "perfection" go for consistency and your best effort - 110% - EVERY time. That is more important IMO than doing the "right" cardio machine or whatever.

[Rhone]

I sort of agree with the article, though I don't think a treadmill is as bad for BFL-style cardio as it is for more traditional HIIT.

With the BFL cardio, you are not going directly from a slow speed (e.g. intensity level 5) to a high speed (e.g. intensity level 9 or 10). You are slowly ramping up the speed one intensity level at a time. In that case, the fact that the speed adjusts slowly on a treadmill is not so big of a deal. I think a treadmill is fine if you are strictly following BFL's cardio.

A more typical HIIT workout--probably the type of workout more commonly talked about at the site you linked to--usually has only two intensity levels: Lower intensity "recovery" periods (comparable to a 5 or 6 intensity level, if not lower) alternated with high intensity "sprint" intervals (comparable to a 9 or 10 intensity level). A treadmill really doesn't allow you to do the equivalent of rapidly starting a sprint directly from a walk or slow jog, and hence is not really appropriate for that style of intervals.

I agree with Lo's point, as well. Personally I hate any kind of cardio machines because they don't feel natural to me, and I always end up with stupid issues like elliptical machines hurt my right knee after a few minutes, stationary bicycles make my feet and lower legs numb after about 8-10 minutes (heh, being fat sucks!), etc. But I have no problem strapping on some running shoes and hitting the pavement.

If you, on the other hand, find that it's easy to motivate yourself to get on the treadmill but you'd have trouble sticking to other kinds of cardio, then go ahead and use the treadmill! Better to do something than nothing. And like I said above, treadmills should be fine for BFL cardio.

[FFNZ]

So far I've only used the treadmill and after my 20 mins, I'm knackered.

I prefer the control you have on a treadmill and being the first time I've done anything like, I feel I need to be able to 'see' that I'm increasing my intensity.

It's like anything really - just make sure you commit 100% to the workout.


The article goes on about it takes time for the treadmill to pick up speed (probably 5 - 8 secs on the ones I use?) but the reverse is it always takes time to slow down too. After my minute at 10 it takes a lot of effort to get through the 'slow down' few seconds!

[BigMikeLV]

I use an elliptical trainer, because I have bad knees and the impact from "running" causes too much pain. I can easily accomplish my HIIT goals on the trainer. Its all about intensity. You can do jumping jacks for cardio if you want as long as you are hitting your "10's".

[Marc]

The treadmill sure as hell kicks my backside when doing HIIT and I'm hitting 11's baby! It's all about intensity. Any cardio will do really, as long as you are ramping up the 'ol ticker.

Elliptical trainer is top notch too, especially if it has those "handle bars" and you bring arms into the mix, really gets the heart rate up quick!

Stepper is ok. Not my favourite!

[Chris]

I'm a big fan of the treadmill.. Sure it has it's disadvantages, but I like seeing the clock counting down (or up) to end the current interval. I also like watching tv while running and the deck is much softer than pavement. I get a lot less injured on the treadmill than the street... but I also love the street too.. I guess it's like everything else, do it in moderation and you'll be fine.

[statona]

I'm with Chris - I find it to be the most effective... it can really kick my ass!