If you also want to know why was the treadmill invented, then this blog is for you. You will be surprised to know that the treadmill was used to punish the prisoners kept in jail. Let us know in full detail about it. And in this, answers have been given to some of the questions that arise in the minds of many people.
Table of Contents
Why Was the Treadmill Invented?
The origins of the treadmill were completely different from what we know today. In the 1800s, it was not designed to keep the body fit.
It was a punishment tool. In jails, people had to walk on these machines as punishment. They were not walking for fun or exercise, they were getting the machine to do work like grinding grains or pumping water. It was difficult and relentless.
This was a way of making the punishment harsher. But the matter did not stop here. He used treadmills in mines and farms not for exercise but to power machines. So, the whole idea behind the treadmill was not about getting healthy, but about making people work harder.
However, as time passed, things changed. Treadmills moved out of punishment areas and into fitness centers and homes. Now, they are used to help people stay fit. It’s great that something designed for punishment is actually helping us stay healthy.
Dark History of Why the Treadmill was Invented?
In the 1800s, English prisoners had to spend hard time in jail. People who were imprisoned had to spend a lot of time alone in dirty cells. Due to living in dirty cells, some prisoners died of diseases or were hanged, but some people wanted to change this.
Groups such as some religious people, donors, and even famous people like Charles Dickens worked to improve things for prisoners and achieved success. Prisons changed, and they came up with new ways to help inmates change for the better. The treadmill was one of those methods.
In 1817, an English engineer named Sir William Cubitt created the first treadmill. Which was also called treadwheel in the early days. The prisoners had to walk on a big wheel with 24 spokes. As the wheel spins, they have to keep moving forward otherwise they would fall, like those machines you see at the gym. This wheel also performed useful functions like pumping water or grinding grains.
People thought these treadmills were great for getting prisoners in shape, and they even helped the British economy after the Napoleonic Wars. But it was very difficult for the prisoners. They spent about six hours a day on a treadmill, which was like climbing a mountain half the size of Mount Everest, five days a week, and without much food. This work had to be done daily.
It was not a good time for the prisoners. He suffered injuries. The prisoners began to break down due to overwork and not enough food. But the guards did not care about this. In fact, some people even liked the treadmill because it kept prisoners in line.
In 1851, Sir William Cubitt became famous for his work on the construction of The Crystal Palace in London, for which he was knighted by Queen Victoria.
Treadmills were used in England until the late 1800s, but were banned for being too cruel. But then, they came back to normal people, not to jails. In 1911, the U.S. Claude Lorrain Hagen filed a patent for a ‘training-machine’ treadmill in 1915. This treadmill had a belt. The specification paper for this invention was officially granted on June 17, 1913. It tells a lot about the invention and had smart ideas, especially considering the time it was made.
The first motorized treadmill was invented by cardiologist Dr. Robert A. Bruce did it in 1940. Dr. Robert Bruce developed the treadmill for stress testing. At that time, treadmills were considered laboratory equipment. Cardiologists still use this test today.
Dr. Robert Arthur Bruce, known as The Father of Exercise Cardiology, in 1952. It was used to diagnose heart and lung conditions and diseases.
Dr. Robert Arthur Bruce achieved this feat through cardiac stress test. Which is now known as the Bruce Protocol. Patients were connected to an electrocardiograph machine (ECG) while walking and running. The speed and tilt were increased every few minutes. Which helped Dr. Bruce and his research partner Wayne Everett Quinton to see where and when the malfunctions in the heart and lungs were occurring.
On January 1, 1968, former Colonel Dr. Kenneth Cooper published a book titled Aerobics. This gave rise to the fitness moments we know and love today. Dr. Cooper’s book uses a points-based system to measure and improve cardiovascular fitness. He also advocated running for at least eight minutes a day, five times a week, as a way to combat sedentary behavior and inactivity.
His ideas written in this book became very popular all over the world. ‘Aerobics’ is a very successful book. It has been translated into 41 languages, including Braille, and has sold over 30 million copies.
The book inspired an engineer named William Edward Staub to create an affordable home treadmill that would help aspiring runners stop making excuses. The late 1970s saw the introduction of the world’s first, and mass-produced, home treadmill, invented by mechanical engineer William Edward Staub.
William Edward Staub built a prototype treadmill, the Pacemaster 600, and sent it to Dr. Kenneth Cooper for approval. Seeing the immense potential of the home treadmill, Dr. Kenneth Cooper promised to finance the machine through his company Aerobics Inc., helping William Edward Staub find a mass audience.
When jogging became popular in the 1970s, treadmills also became popular. People considered them an easy way to stay fit and lose weight. And they have been popular ever since. In 1980, William Edward Staub sold more than 2,000 treadmills a year, and by 1990, he had sold more than 35,000. In 2008, more than 50 million Americans said they used a treadmill for exercise. By 2023, spending on fitness equipment was estimated at $13.5 billion by industry experts.
1. What Does the Treadmill Do?
What does a treadmill do? It’s like creating your own walking, jogging or running track at home. Think of it like you step on a treadmill, then press the button on the treadmill to turn it on and the belt starts moving. You decide how fast or slow you want to go by setting the speed. It’s like walking or running, but you’re indoors, protected from rain or heat.
Plus, it’s great for keeping your heart healthy, burning calories, and staying in good shape. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely stroll or a more intense workout, the treadmill is there for you, ready to help you stay active and fit without the need to leave your comfort zone.
2. How to Turn On a Treadmill?
First of all, find the power button on the treadmill. You can usually find it near the screen or in front of the machine. Once you find it, tap it or turn it on. It depends on how it works for your model.
Some treadmills come with a safety key that you may need to engage before starting. When it’s all turned on, you can choose how fast you want it to go on this and whether you want to go uphill.
Then, you simply press the start button, and you’re ready to start your workout. And don’t forget, refer to the user manual that came with your treadmill for the exact steps to make sure you’re running it smoothly. It’s always a good idea to check.
3. How to Start Running or walking on a Treadmill?
To start running or walking on a treadmill, first step carefully onto the treadmill and make sure you are balanced. Then, you can adjust the treadmill’s settings. Most treadmills have buttons or controls to set your speed and inclination.
Some people, while starting running or walking on the treadmill, increase its speed on the very first day, due to which they have to face injury or any kind of accident due to their body not being able to balance.
Always start at a comfortable speed on the treadmill and then walk slowly or even jog until you feel confident. To balance your body, if necessary, there is a handle on the treadmill. Hold it and slowly increase the speed of the treadmill.
Once you are comfortable, you can start running at your desired pace. And always keep in mind that your safety should come first so that any accident or injury can be avoided, hence always start slowly and gradually increase your speed.
4. How Long Should You Run and Walk on a Treadmill?
The amount of time you spend on a treadmill depends on how fit your body is. If you are new to this, it is good to start with 20-30 minutes. This helps your body get used to the treadmill without feeling too tired.
As you get better, you can walk or run on it for longer periods of time. If you feel good and it matches your goals, you can exercise for 45-60 minutes or more.
For those who have been using the treadmill for a long time, a 45-60 minute workout can be very good for your heart. It can strengthen the muscles of your body. But if you feel tired or uncomfortable, it’s OK to do less. It is better to gradually lengthen your workout rather than starting with a longer one.
It is more important to exercise frequently and continue exercising than to exercise for a certain period of time. Find a time that suits your fitness and when you can do it regularly. This is what helps you stay healthy in the long run.
Read More: 20 Benefits Of Walking On a Treadmill All You Need to Know
5. How to Lose Weight on a Treadmill?
Losing weight on a treadmill means keeping things steady. If you work out on the treadmill daily and eat healthy food, it helps you lose weight effectively. Start with short workouts and gradually make them faster or harder over longer periods of time.
As you increase your strength, you can do longer or more intense workouts. When you work out on a treadmill, all your muscles get exercised, helping you burn more calories and fat.
Eating good food in the right quantity is equally important. Combine treadmill workouts with a balanced diet. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins while keeping your portions under control.
Here’s a chart showing your estimated calorie burn based on weight (in pounds) and treadmill speed (in miles per hour) for a 30 Minute Workout Over a Two Week Period.
| Weight (lbs) | Treadmill Speed (mph) | Calorie Burn (30 minutes) | Calorie Burn (2 weeks, 30 min/day) |
| 150 | 3.5 | 150 | 2100 |
| 150 | 4.5 | 200 | 2800 |
| 150 | 5.5 | 250 | 3500 |
| 180 | 3.5 | 180 | 2520 |
| 180 | 4.5 | 240 | 3360 |
| 180 | 5.5 | 300 | 4200 |
| 200 | 3.5 | 200 | 2800 |
| 200 | 4.5 | 260 | 3640 |
| 200 | 5.5 | 320 | 4480 |
This is an approximate chart that shows the calorie burn for running or walking at a speed of 7.5 mph on a treadmill for one hour each day over a period of a week.
| Weight (lbs) | Calorie Burn (1-hour, 7.5 mph) | Calorie Burn (2 weeks, 1 hour/day) |
| 150 | 900 | 12,600 |
| 180 | 1080 | 15,120 |
| 200 | 1200 | 16,800 |
| 220 | 1320 | 18,480 |
| 250 | 1500 | 21,000 |
6. What Incline to Walk on a Treadmill?
Walking up steep slopes on a Treadmill makes your exercise harder. If you’re a beginner on an inclined treadmill, it’s best to start with a 1% to 4% slope. An inclination of 1% to 2% is similar to the small fluctuations you feel when walking or running outside.
This gentle slope works additional muscles like your calves and buttocks, making the exercise difficult but not too difficult. This is a good way to make your workout a little harder while your body gets used to the slope. Once you feel comfortable, you can increase the slope little by little.
It improves your treadmill workout by using more muscles and burning more calories at the same time. Keep in mind, the steeper the incline, the harder it can be on your hips and lower back.
7. What Is 12 Incline on a Treadmill?
A 12% incline on a treadmill means it is set on a steep slope. It provides a challenging workout simulating a steep climb.
An incline of 12 on a treadmill makes it too much of an incline. The setting really does feel like climbing a steep hill. It’s just like when you walk outside or run uphill, it requires more strength to move against gravity. With this high inclination, your workout becomes harder. This works more muscles and makes it harder than walking on a flat or slightly inclined treadmill.
For example, let’s say you are on a treadmill and you have set it to 12 incline. It’s as if the treadmill suddenly tilts too much, much like climbing an extremely steep hill. You may have felt that when you go uphill on the outside, it is much harder, requiring more strength to go up that slope. This is what a 12′ slope on a treadmill feels like. Your workout becomes significantly harder because it requires your muscles to work much more than if the treadmill was flat or at just a slight incline.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we told how prisoners were made to work using treadmill and how after that it was improved and now it is used in homes for exercise. The history of treadmill has been quite surprising but now It is used to keep the body healthy. Those who do not have time to go to the gym or go outside for running or jogging, they can keep their body healthy by using a treadmill at home.
In this blog, information has also been given about many questions arising in your mind.
We hope we have managed to answer the question “why was the treadmill invented” for you in this blog post. Do you enjoy reading blog posts then we are sure you will be a fan of our next blog post. Please share this with your friends and family also.
FAQ (Frequent Asked Questions)
Q1. What Was the Treadmill Originally Made For?
Ans: The treadmill was originally invented as a form of punishment in the early 19th century for prisoners in prisons. It was a device used to make prisoners walk endlessly as a means of punishment and hard labor.
Q2. Which Is Better: Elliptical or Treadmill?
Ans: Both have their benefits. Treadmills focus on running or walking, while elliptical provide a low impact full body workout. You can choose it based on your fitness goals and preferences.
Q3.How Much Does a Treadmill Cost?
Ans: Treadmill prices vary widely depending on features and brands. You can find basic models starting at a few hundred dollars, while high end models with advanced features can cost several thousand dollars.
Q4.How to Turn On a NordicTrack Treadmill?
Ans: NordicTrack treadmills usually have a power switch and a start button. Refer to the user manual for specific instructions, but generally, pressing the start button after powering on should do the trick.