Common Mistakes on Treadmills
When you first starting using the treadmill you are
going to be prone to a variety of different mistakes that may take away from
your ability to get the most out of your exercise routine. Some of the most
common mistakes include:
·
Grabbing onto the handles while you
walk or run.
·
Over exerting yourself too early by
running at full sprint.
·
Not warming up before you start
jogging.
·
Trying to get on a moving treadmill.
·
Poor posture during your run.
These are the primary mistakes that people make
when they start using a treadmill, but they are certainly not the only
mistakes that may occur while you exercise. Here are other common mistakes.
1.
Ending Early Perhaps the most common mistake is how early some
people end their exercise routines. It is not uncommon to find people simply
stopping as soon as they feel any amount of tiredness. These individuals run
until they are tired and then they stop. There are two things wrong with
this. First, human beings have the remarkable ability to have a “Second
wind” – meaning that as soon as you feel you have hit a wall, you suddenly
get a jolt of energy that allows you to go for even longer. Second, running
until you feel tiredness is like lifting 2 pound weights and hoping to gain
muscle mass – it is as though you are testing your heart, but not actually
improving it. Challenge yourself and you will see far greater results.
2.
Ignoring Useful Features Treadmills have a number of useful features that may
help some users. Ignoring or not understanding these features can represent
some problems. For example, if you have joint problems, the incline feature
will be a big help, but if you do not know it is there, it may go unused.
Similarly, changing the incline without understanding what the button does
could cause you to trip and fall, or tire out too early.
3.
Moving Too Little In order to get the most from your treadmill exercise
routine, you need to be active. The best way to be active is to get your
whole body into it. Move your arms instead of simply keeping them dead at
your sides, and move your legs with as healthy a stride as possible, using
your feet to propel you through the workout. The more you are active, the
more calories you will burn, and the additional cardiovascular benefits will
be great. 4.
Grabbing the Handles Having handles on a treadmill is great. It lets you
keep your balance, adjust yourself if something feels off, and rest your
hands when you need a quick break without altering your pace. But it also
reduces the workload on your muscles which, while it may sound good, also
reduces the effectiveness of the exercise dramatically. In addition, it is
bad for your posture, can hurt your back, and does not prepare you for
running outdoors. Handles are great to have, but they should only be used
when you absolutely need to. 5.
Running Too Fast Treadmills are designed to give you a chance to pace
yourself for a long run. If you start too fast, you are going to tire very
quickly without any of the benefits of the long term run. Aerobic exercise
is not designed to be a full sprint. Start at a reasonable pace and let
yourself run for longer, rather than run faster. 6.
Running Too Fast Too Early Let yourself work at a slow p
7.
Getting on a Moving Treadmill
Starting on a moving treadmill is a huge mistake, and
one that can be extremely embarrassing/painful. The treadmill should be at a
complete stop when you start, so that your feet move with the pace. If you
hop on a moving treadmill, your legs won’t be ready for the pace, and you
may easily go flying backwards.
8.
Poor Posture
Yet another treadmill mistake is assuming that your
posture does not matter. When you are using the treadmill, standing straight
is how you are able to gain a good pace, and get the most of your aerobic
benefits. Don’t be tempted to hunch over just because you are running or
walking. Use your treadmill correctly by walking on it correctly.
Avoid Common Treadmill Mistakes
The treadmill is too valuable a machine to use
incorrectly. You can get a number of different cardiovascular and weight
support benefits when you use a treadmill, but these benefits require that
you use the treadmill correctly. Learn all of the right postures, challenge
yourself to run as long as possible, and understand the features that you
have available, and you will be able to succeed with your aerobic activity.
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