For distance runners, interval training is most often practiced on a track. They would then run quite hard for a certain distance and then either jog or walk. Once a certain period of time is up, they would then begin to run hard once again and this would be repeated for as many repetitions as their training program specified. Interval training has been proven to be very effective in building a strong cardiovascular system over time.

For those trying to lose weight, interval training has proven to be very effective as it is more effective helping an individual to lose fat than other types of exercise. In a number of studies, if you compare moderate exercise and interval training side by side, the individual that did interval training lost more weight than the person who exercised moderately for the same period of time.

Although interval training on a track might be convenient for those that live near a track and have someone to train with, interval training can also be done on a treadmill. Since a treadmill can adequately track distance and time, as well as calories burned, speed and heart-rate, the are the perfect machines for those who want to use interval training. With so many metrics in front of you at the touch of a button, a treadmill is the perfect interval training companion. Not only do they give you data, but since they are always moving, they force you to keep going and are better for those who like to work with goals. While you may have no way of tracking your distance or speed if you were to train on your own, training on a treadmill gives you all the information you need to be as effective as possible and to stick close to your recommended training routine.

For serious athletes who must train each and every day for an upcoming event, having a treadmill at home for interval training is a great benefit. If you can't always make it out to a gym or a track, having a treadmill in your home that you can use anytime, day or night is very convenient. Maybe you work odd hours and can't find the time to get out to a gym during regular hours; A home treadmill give you the flexibility to train when you want and you have all that you need right at your fingertips. Need to know how far you have traveled or your current heart rate? A good quality treadmill will have all this information so you always know where you are, where you've been and where you are going. No need to find a babysitter for the kids, or leave the house when the weather is terrible; Your home treadmill will do everything you need and more and make the most of your interval training endeavors.

If you want a basic walking treadmill, you don't need to spend a lot to get one that will work for you. Walking on treadmills doesn't cause the same wear and tear as running or jogging, so you can make do with a much cheaper treadmill. But if you plan to jog or run extensively on your treadmill, you'll probably want to spend a bit more on a higher quality treadmill with a bigger price tag.

Treadmills have numerous components that can run the gamut from expensive and high quality, to inferior and inexpensive. The motor is a very important part of any treadmill. That's the part that gets used the most, so it's worth it to get a high quality, powerful electric motor when treadmill shopping. A treadmill motor without enough power is the one main reason that treadmills wear out before their time, so be sure to buy the best motor you can afford. The motors in treadmills are rated by two measurements: continuous duty horsepower and peak horsepower. Lots of treadmills might quote the peak horsepower ratings because it makes them look good, but it's actually the rating of the continuous duty horsepower that's more important. More continuous horsepower means your machine has the power it needs to last a lot longer.

Also be sure to look at the belt. That's the piece of rubber tread that you actually walk on, so it's important that it be of high quality. Often treadmills look good, but they're poor quality and inexpensive, so it soon becomes apparent that the belt is too thin. To get the longest life from your treadmill, be sure to get a belt that's 2 ply at least; the thicker the better. A good quality thick belt means it won't wear out or need replacing for a much longer time, which is good because the belts are pretty expensive to replace.

It's not necessary to spend a lot to get a good quality treadmill, but just a few hundred more dollars spent might mean a much higher quality machine. Always have your budget set before you go, although it's important to know that if you have a low budget, you might end up with a poor quality machine that will wear out quickly.