Can Running On The Treadmill Get Rid Of Belly Fat?

It's a reasonable question to ask. Are we doing something about our belly fat when running on the treadmill? Happily, that answer is yes. It may be hard to believe considering we feel the burn mostly in our legs, but according to Chron, running on the treadmill is one of the most effective ways to burn belly fat. Here's why that is.

Running on a treadmill is a powerful calorie-burning method of exercise — not just for belly fat, but for overall fat loss. Kerry Stewart of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine states that cardio may help reduce visceral fat that lies under our stomach muscles even more than diet or other types of exercise, and that runners should expect to see a decrease in waist size with regular sessions. If you have succeeded in banishing your belly fat, don't say goodbye to the treadmill just yet. Continuing your routine will promote long-term success and may help keep deep belly fat from returning, even if you have gained a few.

For quicker results, try HIIT

You will eventually see your waistline shrinking if you put in the time on the treadmill, but there are methods that are more productive and give quicker results than just jogging. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a highly effective training regime for fat-burning and can be done on the treadmill, claims Healthline. To do a HIIT workout on the treadmill, alternate between jogging and sprinting. Aim to make your rest intervals twice as long as your high-intensity intervals. As your body attempts to stabilize between intervals, it is metabolizing body fat for energy.

In addition to burning belly fat, there are other fat-fighting benefits to enjoy from running on a treadmill. According to Healthline, running on a treadmill may help relieve stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, and control blood sugar. All of these bonus advantages can also help make us stronger in fighting the urge wolf down a sweet treat for an afternoon pick-me-up. This doesn't mean we're not allowed to go ham in the cookie aisle every now and then, but it's awesome to know there is an activity that can help counteract our more indulgent days.