How Long Does It Take to Burn 1000 Calories on a Treadmill?


The treadmill is one of the most remarkable ways to lose weight or get in shape. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro at the gym, we’ve all gone through our fair share of running on the treadmill. After all, running is one great way to perform an efficient cardio workout.

This is also one of the main reasons people utilize the treadmill to burn calories fast and quickly. So, how long does it take to burn off about a thousand calories on the machine? 

Well, a person will need to walk between 6-9 miles to burn off about a thousand calories on an average of 5m/h. But, when it comes to burning those calories on a treadmill, the average duration will generally depend on various factors such as walking speed, weight, slopestyle of the treadmill, etc.

Can we Burn 1000 Calories on a Treadmill?

Yes, you can. But before we get to that, let’s look at your daily diet. On average, a person will usually consume around 2-3k calories. So, you’d be burning at least one-third of your daily calorie consumption if you’re an experienced runner on the machine. 

Of course, burning that many calories might not be excessively dangerous, but it’s not an easy task. Moreover, if you’re a beginner, burning a thousand calories daily will most likely be impossible to achieve on the first day. 

So, yes, although you can burn 1000 calories on the treadmill, it won’t be easy, especially for those starting out. You’ll likely have to slowly work up to a routine and weigh various factors before starting your journey. 

Distance to Cover for Burning 1000 Calories

As mentioned earlier, your weight significantly determines how many miles you should walk to burn 1000 calories. For instance, for a person weighing 150lbs, a distance of about 8 miles must be covered to burn a thousand calories. While for those around 170-210 lbs, a coverage of around 6-7 miles should be acceptable. 

But, you’ll have to work towards walking the given miles per day. Try to work up and increase your pace every day to increase your mileage subsequently. Just make sure you don’t overwork yourself. Make sure to maintain a routine without wearing out the first few days of the workout. It’s always important to remain cautious while running on a treadmill to burn a thousand calories. Hence, you must take a rest now and then. This can also prevent you from injuries or burnout. 

When you’re starting, it may seem like you can’t waste any time. However, taking breaks while training is crucial, especially with equipment like the treadmill. 

Factors to Consider While Burning 1000 Calories on the Treadmill 

Although people may share the same goal of burning 1000 calories on the treadmill, there will be different factors that contribute to burning off the calories while using the treadmill. 

These factors are usually physiological such as weight, speed, etc. So, here are some factors to consider if you’re planning on running up the treadmill to burn 1000 calories. 

Weight

Weight plays one of the most prominent roles in cutting off a thousand calories on the mill. The weight factor is also the main reason why many choose to burn calories in the first place. But there’s an essential element to consider while using the treadmill to burn calories. 

The higher your weight, the faster you’ll be able to burn calories. According to Livehealthy, since you’ll weigh more, you’ll also require more energy to move. Hence, you’re able to burn faster when you weigh more. So, a person weighing 150 lbs will have to cover more distance or take more time to burn off a thousand calories than a 250 lbs person on the treadmill. 

However, a 250 lbs person with a more muscular build, such as an experienced bodybuilder, will take less time to burn off the calories than a 250 lbs person with more fats. 

It’s also important to consider that a heavier inexperienced person at the gym will tire out just as fast as they burn the calories. Although a bigger person can cover only around 5 miles to burn a thousand calories, they’ll have to work twice as hard or even more. 

Speed

Speed is another factor in burning calories while walking on the treadmill. The faster you run or walk, the faster you burn those calories. 

For instance, if you’re planning to run for 9 miles to burn a thousand calories but run at a pace of 5m/hr, it’ll take at most two hours to achieve the goal. 

But, say you ran that distance rather than walking it at a pace of 10m/hr; it’ll only take about an hour to finish your goal. Hence, in terms of distance, you’ll achieve your goal the faster you run. 

So, a person weighing 200 lb can burn a thousand calories if they run 6m/hr, but if they cover 10m/hr, it’ll only take around 36 mins to burn a thousand calories. 

In addition, studies confirm that running can burn more calories than walking. This means if a 170 lbs person ran for 9 miles, the final result would be different than the same person walking for 9 miles. Walking the exact distance, the number of calories burned will differ. 

However, there are some negative points to running. First, running on the mill will not be easy if you’re starting out. Hence, it can create some risks, such as getting injured, especially if you’re overdoing it. So, it’s always better to take it slow. 

Distance

Distance is something that is directly related to speed. Thus, if you’re walking slower, you’ll also be walking further. So, if you’re looking to burn a thousand calories on the treadmill, you’ll have to prioritize one over the other. This, in turn, will impact the other. 

The distance you’ll have to cover will also depend on your weight. This means fewer fat people will generally walk further to burn a thousand calories. Meanwhile, a heavier person can cover a shorter distance to burn off the 1000 calories. 

But, similar to speed, you must be aware of your limits to reach the goal instead of going all out on the first try. 

Slope

You’ll have to consider this if you’re working out on a unique treadmill. Since some treadmills are steeper than others, it can benefit you better as you can burn calories faster due to the steepness. 

It can be seen as running on a hill rather than a flat surface. Yes, it’s much more complex and tiring. However, a steeper slope can assist you in reaching the 1k calorie goal faster than regular treadmills. 

How Much Weight does Burning 1,000 Calories Cut Down?

According to most experts, you’ll have to lose around 3500 calories weekly to cut down 1lb. So, if you’re burning around a thousand calories daily, you can cut down 2lbs in a week. 

But things are always much simpler in writing. This means the weight loss will depend on the training age, type of training, lifestyle, environment, and even genetic factors. 

To create more obstacles, the weight loss progress will stall more as you go further along the process. Simply put, your body won’t be able to sustain a 2lbs weight loss every week. So, if a person consistently loses 2lbs per week, they will start losing about half their body weight within a year, which isn’t realistic. 

Moreover, trying to cut down your weight at such a rapid pace is not a sustainable approach in the long run. It can induce significant loss of muscle mass, which you wouldn’t want. 

Hence, a more realistic scenario is burning 1000 calories a few days/week while consuming around 250-500 calories. So, if you follow a more sustainable approach, you can lose around 0.5-1lb per week by burning 1000 calories. 

Wrapping Up 

When it comes to burning calories, especially hitting the 1000 mark, a treadmill is one of the best ways to reach your goal. Yes, burning a thousand calories in one go seems a little extreme. But, with enough practice and routine, it can be done. 

So, try to work and prepare your body for it instead of hitting the mark on the first run. This way, you can gradually burn more calories thoroughly until you can burn them off in a single session. 

Ultimately, the overall duration to burn off a thousand calories will depend on you and your dedication. You’ll have to remain focused while maintaining a balance between doing less and more. As long as you’re aware of your limits, you’ll be burning 1000 calories in no time.

Niklas Lampi

My name is Niklas Lampi and I work as a fitness writer, nutritional consultant and personal trainer. My favourite exercise is the bench press and my favourite food is pizza!

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