Walking on an incline > Running

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walking on an incline is awesome - doing intervals can be a fantastic workout! Just be sure to let go and let your arms swing naturally. Don't hold on to the machine.

Why is it bad to hold on to the machine?

When you hold on your body moves upright so you are not really walking on an incline or getting any benefits of walking on an incline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walking on an incline is awesome - doing intervals can be a fantastic workout! Just be sure to let go and let your arms swing naturally. Don't hold on to the machine.

Why is it bad to hold on to the machine?

Let go of the machine and feel the difference!

This! Just let go and feel the huge difference!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Incline walking kills my knees! Running NEVER does!

My well know knee doctor has always said no incline on machines because of my knees. I never knew why because I seem to have no problems on inclines but going downhill kills my legs.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried walking backward on a treadmill while on a slight incline? Apparently good for knee pain. I have a new walking pad with incline so planning to try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently switched from running to walking on a steep incline, and the walking is superior period. Easier on joints, I maintain a consistently elevated heart rate and am quickly building strength in my core, legs, and glutes.

Bloop!

I wouldn't say its > - it's just different depending on your goals. Sounds like it's right for you currently, but they're almost completely different.

OP didn't say it's the same, she said walking is "superior period"

And that's wrong: It's not better for everyone. For cardio, it's equivalent, because your heart doesn't care why it's beating fast, just that it is. But running and walking uphill put different demands on your body. Find the approach that works for you.

+1

[Anonymous]

Yesss walking on an incline of 10 to 12 at 2.5-3 speed has lifted my butt and gets you firmer legs. Fat melts off when you stay consistent for at least 3 weeks. Holding the bars negates all benefits, as other anons explained better! The point is to fight gravity using your muscles and core.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Walking on an incline is awesome - doing intervals can be a fantastic workout! Just be sure to let go and let your arms swing naturally. Don't hold on to the machine.

Why is it bad to hold on to the machine?

Let go of the machine and feel the difference!

If you are like me and are afraid to fall off, I usually rest the back of my hands on the handles and try not to put weight on them.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of absolute statements in this post and the replies that are right for some circumstances but not all.

Walking on an incline is terrific exercise, but it not better than running for everyone in all circumstances.

Holding on does eliminate some of the physical benefits of walking on an incline, but not all. There are lots of reasons from balance issues to anxiety why someone might be better off having a hand on the treadmill.

Fat does not melt off when you walk at an incline. Fat is eliminated when you are in a calorie deficit and burning calories walking can be part of that, but only if you can be in a calorie deficit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of absolute statements in this post and the replies that are right for some circumstances but not all.

Walking on an incline is terrific exercise, but it not better than running for everyone in all circumstances.

Holding on does eliminate some of the physical benefits of walking on an incline, but not all. There are lots of reasons from balance issues to anxiety why someone might be better off having a hand on the treadmill.

Fat does not melt off when you walk at an incline. Fat is eliminated when you are in a calorie deficit and burning calories walking can be part of that, but only if you can be in a calorie deficit.

Okay killjoy correction police, who thinks an answer must apply to all situations. Anybody on this sub who works out in 2026 is aware that you need to be on a calorie deficit to lose weight…you’re preaching to the choir and sound like a Google search. Which OP could’ve easily done but they wanted personal feedback. Let us share our experiences! The fat definitely melts off faster when i’m doing the incline thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently switched from running to walking on a steep incline, and the walking is superior period. Easier on joints, I maintain a consistently elevated heart rate and am quickly building strength in my core, legs, and glutes.

Bloop!

I wouldn't say its > - it's just different depending on your goals. Sounds like it's right for you currently, but they're almost completely different.

+1 it maybe better for op. Nothing gets my heart rate up as running.

It sounds like you may be leaving zone 2 during your runs. Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of absolute statements in this post and the replies that are right for some circumstances but not all.

Walking on an incline is terrific exercise, but it not better than running for everyone in all circumstances.

Holding on does eliminate some of the physical benefits of walking on an incline, but not all. There are lots of reasons from balance issues to anxiety why someone might be better off having a hand on the treadmill.

Fat does not melt off when you walk at an incline. Fat is eliminated when you are in a calorie deficit and burning calories walking can be part of that, but only if you can be in a calorie deficit.

There is zero reason to hold on. If you cannot walk on the treadmill at 1mph with a zero incline, then you should definitely not be walking on it at 3mph with an incline of 10. Lower the speed and incline until you can walk with your arms swinging by your side, even if it's at a snail's pace. THEN you can gradually challenge yourself. It's terrible form with detrimental effects on your back and alignment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of absolute statements in this post and the replies that are right for some circumstances but not all.

Walking on an incline is terrific exercise, but it not better than running for everyone in all circumstances.

Holding on does eliminate some of the physical benefits of walking on an incline, but not all. There are lots of reasons from balance issues to anxiety why someone might be better off having a hand on the treadmill.

Fat does not melt off when you walk at an incline. Fat is eliminated when you are in a calorie deficit and burning calories walking can be part of that, but only if you can be in a calorie deficit.

Okay killjoy correction police, who thinks an answer must apply to all situations. Anybody on this sub who works out in 2026 is aware that you need to be on a calorie deficit to lose weight…you’re preaching to the choir and sound like a Google search. Which OP could’ve easily done but they wanted personal feedback. Let us share our experiences! The fat definitely melts off faster when i’m doing the incline thing.

This entire thread is an assembly of corrections. I guess receiving feels different than dishing them out.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a treadmill but am seeing good results with an elliptical. I do interval training for 30 mins/day. Have firmed my lower half and arms, but I also do some weights (which I need to be more regular about).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of absolute statements in this post and the replies that are right for some circumstances but not all.

Walking on an incline is terrific exercise, but it not better than running for everyone in all circumstances.

Holding on does eliminate some of the physical benefits of walking on an incline, but not all. There are lots of reasons from balance issues to anxiety why someone might be better off having a hand on the treadmill.

Fat does not melt off when you walk at an incline. Fat is eliminated when you are in a calorie deficit and burning calories walking can be part of that, but only if you can be in a calorie deficit.

Okay killjoy correction police, who thinks an answer must apply to all situations. Anybody on this sub who works out in 2026 is aware that you need to be on a calorie deficit to lose weight…you’re preaching to the choir and sound like a Google search. Which OP could’ve easily done but they wanted personal feedback. Let us share our experiences! The fat definitely melts off faster when i’m doing the incline thing.

It “melts” because you burn more calories walking on an incline vs not.