Exploring What Muscles a Treadmill Works and How to Target Them

September 19, 2024

Running Analysis Test At A Sports Medicine Center 2023 11 27 04 55 04 Utc 1 Scaled Copy

Major Muscle Groups Engaged During Treadmill Use

Quadriceps

These powerhouse muscles are crucial for extending our knees with each stride

Hamstrings

Motorized treadmills tend to elicit greater hamstring involvement

Calves

leg muscle activation

Glutes

How Incline Affects Muscle Engagement

Increased Glute Activation

The incline targets the muscles at the back of our legs

Enhanced Calf Workout

Core Stabilization

can significantly improve gait velocity and cadence

Upper Body Muscles Involved in Treadmill Exercise

Arm and Shoulder Muscles

Back Muscles

vital role in maintaining our posture during treadmill workouts

Core Muscles

all engage to keep us stable and maintain proper form

Optimizing Your Treadmill Workout for Muscle Targeting

Interval Training

We can aim for 85 to 90% of our maximum heart rate during these work intervals

Incline Variations

we’re also engaging our core muscles for stability

Speed Adjustments

Varying our speed is another effective way to challenge our muscles

Final Thoughts – Is A Treadmill A Good Exercise?

Article by Callum

Hey, I’m Callum. I started Body Muscle Matters to share my journey and passion for fitness. What began as a personal mission to build muscle and feel stronger has grown into a space where I share tips, workouts, and honest advice to help others do the same.