Incline vs speed on the treadmill

I joined a gym a few months back, doing all the exercise/personal training thing. I've always hated running but I love seeing the amount of calories I've burned go up so that's my motivation. Lately my treadmill workout has consisted of this (all on no incline):

warm-up anywhere from 7 - 10 min @ 5.7

Between 10 and 20 min I gradually increase the speed to 6.7

At 20 min mark I increase it to 6.8

At 25 min I increase it to 7.0 and finish my workout with that (the lovely treadmills at the gym are set for 30 min workouts then they stop)

That workout really makes me sweat and if those calorie counters are anywhere near-ish accurate I burn between 330-380 cal in that time, depending on how much I have run at what speed.

To get to my question, is it better for me to keep increasing my speed running flat, or should I start to incorporate the incline in but reduce my speed? If I was to do the incline, what is best to start at and should it increase throughout the workout?

Thanks! I'm sure I left out some piece of info you may need so let me know if I forgot something.

You should alternate between speed workouts and incline. Try to strike a balance. You can do it on alternating days or just within the same session.  Even adding a 3 % incline can really rev up your workout. Start small and gradually increase the incline when you are able. Running hills is a VERY effective calorie burn and varying your workouts will also increase calories burned. If you do the same workout all the time, your body becomes very efficient at that activity. In other words, your body starts using LESS calories to do the same workout. And remember don't expect to be able to run the same speed w/ an incline. I'm always disappointed when I do any incline at how slow I'm going and I let that make me not want to do inclines but I know if I want to be in good physical condition I have to. If I were running outside afterall, it wouldn't all be flat.

I agree with cjarose....and I'll add that you should also jump on the elliptical trainer and stationary bikes as well.....even though these machines may seem easier than running on a treadmill....you'll be surprised by the extra weight loss results, just from mixing up the cardio.

For my cardio I do one hour on the threadmill at 3.0 to start and the max incline! Usually 15 on most treadmills....

after a couple minutes I go to 3.1. I do this for about 20-30 minutes then go to 3.2......if Im up for it then I will go to 3.3 and once Im at the last ten minutes or so I will go to 3.8 (but still walking it) Its hard work and really works the legs as well. Of course any incline, even slight like cjarose mentioned, will be benefical.

This work out usually burns from 585-650 calories (according to the treadmill)

Back when I could only phyically do 30 minutes, I used to do max incline at 3.8...usually burned about 450-500 calories THAT was hard but really worked the legs and got the heart pumping.

Switching it up is good too.....Just depends on what your intentions are and your goals

Wow, that many calories huh? Guess I should aim for that! I still have that mindset that if I am not running and pushing myself I'm not working hard enough but if I have a good incline going but am walking it should keep me working just as hard.

Thanks for the suggestion of alternating incline and flat running. I think I will start to incorporate that, it'll keep the boredom at bay and it sounds like it'll really burn some calories and tone me up.

If you have any more suggestions, keep 'em coming!

if i run too fast i get this tendon pain in the back of my knee

if i feel some sort if discomfort but want to go harder i increase the incline, lol was doing 9 -10kph at 6% incline for a few weeks

put the speed up to my regular 12-13 but on flat and it seemed a hell of a lot easier

oh apparantly, incline uses a larger surface area of the your muscles, therefore this means more of your muscle is working, therefore more is burned

apparantly running up hill is good for sprint training/ speed

so vary it up

start at 2% and increase 0.5 - 1 every increase in speed

then wack it up for the last bit of your run (you dont even need to increase the speed)

what everyone is saying is good--keep in mind too that the incline will not only help burn calories but it also builds more muscle than just running faster.  the best workout you can do to lose weight, like everyone's saying, is to mix up your workouts.