Some people have a love-hate relationship with treadmills; they're valuable pieces of equipment that allow you to feel the burn without trekking up and down elevations. However, others tend to avoid them because they think treadmills are monotonous.
Despite your stance on them, treadmills are fundamental fitness equipment that creates a way to work out without much preparation. You'll need a good pair of running sneakers, ambition, and a well-curated playlist.
If you're looking to start your fitness journey or want a refreshing change from the usual routine, consider these five essential treadmill tips for beginners to get you started.
1. Walk Before You Run
It’s a simple rule that can save you from many injuries. Imagine stepping onto a treadmill for the first time and thinking you’re going to crush your workout. While we admire the ambition and tenacity, it would be wise to consider safety first when exercising on a treadmill.
Consider starting at a walking pace for the first five minutes; you’ll get comfortable and establish a starting point from which you’ll build up to a run. You should run at a pace where you're slightly out of breath but not gasping for air.
2. Always Watch Your Form
Your form is integral to practicing safety while running on a treadmill. It’s standard to sacrifice form a bit while running for extended periods, but your body should always have priority over any exercise.
You're most likely pushing yourself past your threshold if you can't complete the workout without touching the handrails. It's perfectly acceptable to slow your pace to complete your activity. Remember to look forward and keep your back straight!
3. Consider Interval Training
It's easy to get bored while running a treadmill, so you should introduce some variety to your workout. Introducing interval training helps you make the most of your time.
This form of training incorporates short bursts of intense work followed by short breaks that keep your heart rate elevated for a complete body burn.
4. Avoid Running at an Incline for Too Long
While some people don't use the incline feature on their treadmill, inclines help to simulate walking and running outdoors. Auto incline treadmills adjusts to your preferred elevation during your run.
You should be cautious when you change the elevation, especially as a beginner. Sprinting uphill for the entire workout duration isn't ideal; introduce incline work in five-minute intervals to help build endurance.
5. Don’t Forget To Warm Up and Stretch
It's easy to forgo a warm-up and stretch for the sake of time, but hear us out! Warm-up and cool-down stretches are essential to your workout.
Specifically, dynamic warm-ups prepare your muscles for the workout, making physical exertion easier. Static cool-downs will enable you to stretch your muscles and initiate the recovery phase.
While it seems basic, running on the treadmill is a practical, solid workout that warms up the muscles without going overboard. With these five beginner treadmill tips, you’ll learn a different form of fitness to help you achieve your goals and become a better runner.