Does walking on an incline count as cardio?
I’ve been going to the gym for the past few months now, and I definitely feel a little more fit and stronger. I also feel like I have less body fat on me, or because I have muscle under it, to make me feel more sculpted with it.
Anyway, I’ve been going on the treadmill, and instead of running (because I have the worst endurance ever), I go on the highest incline at about 3.5mph for about 45 minutes. My heart rate stays at about 175 give or take, at that pace. My question is if that doesn’t count for cardio. My gym trainer told me that he goes on an incline because he doesn’t like running. But my friend, who’s in cross country told me that running is the only effective form of cardio along with biking, or whatever.
But I’m saying that if you do something to get your heart rate up, especially in the fat burning zone (as the chart on the treadmill indicates), isn’t that a good form of cardio?
Yes, its cardio. All cardio is, is something that gets your cardiovascular system working harder- so if you get your heart rate into a cardio zone, it doesnt matter what the exercise is, its impacting your cardio.
That being said- nobody starts out with good endurance. Only people that work at having endurance, get good endurance. I say this as someone that started out barely running a mile, and now can run 10-12 miles depending on the day. You have to WORK at it, if you want it. Just extend your distance, or up your speed very slightly, and keep doing so, until you can get to your goals. You will find that with running, you will burn a lot more calories in a lot faster time, and meet your goals a lot more quickly. You dont HAVE to do it, but I think you will find the benefits amazing if you try, instead of just giving up before you have really tried to push yourself.
Running Walking or Jogging a 5K -Training Schedule
