ActiveRunning9 mistakes everyone makes with treadmills – and how to avoid themDon’t make these treadmill errors!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveRunning9 mistakes everyone makes with treadmills – and how to avoid themDon’t make these treadmill errors!When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Don’t make these treadmill errors!
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Thebest treadmillsare the most versatile pieces ofhome gym equipmentyou can buy. Running machines can be used to lose weight, and improve endurance and heart health, not to mention, that running on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes a day can also offset the negative effect of sitting.
Long story short, running machines are amazing. However, there are quite a few treadmill mistakes beginner runners make, all of which are easily avoidable once you’re made aware of them. We collected nine of the most common mistakes people who aren’t familiar with treadmills often fall for and how to avoid them.
If you haven’t got a treadmill yet, make sure you read our main treadmill buying guide linked above; or, if you’re on a tight budget, you can peruse thebest cheap treadmillguide instead. Finally, people who live in smaller homes might want to buy afolding treadmill: these amazing machines are space-saving champions.
1. Using the wrong shoes
Although you’re running on a softer surface compared to running outside, it’s still advised to wear properrunning shoeson treadmills. Notworkout shoes; running shoes. You might not need quite as much cushioning underfoot on a treadmill, but some will help keep the joints in top condition.
The same goes for runners with pronating feet. Just because the running belt is softer, that doesn’t mean it will help with arch support – you’ll needsupport running shoesto preserve your knees.
Don’t let your guard down just because you’re not putting as much effort in(Image credit: Getty Images)
Don’t let your guard down just because you’re not putting as much effort in
Don’t let your guard down just because you’re not putting as much effort in
(Image credit: Getty Images)
2. Not focusing on form
Running on a treadmill usually feels less demanding as you’re ‘only’ keeping up with the belt, not propelling you forward like running on tarmac. However, you shouldn’t ignore running form just because it’s not as hard to run 10k on a treadmill. Your foot placement, cadence and breathing should all be kept under control to avoid injuries.
If you’re unsure about your running form, arunning watchor specialfitness trackerssuch as theNURVV Running Insolescan help you train properly and with the correct form.
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3. Looking at your feet
Ideally, you want to place the treadmill where you can look at something other than the wall, as that can get tedious swiftly. Some treadmills, such as theBowflex Treadmill 22,come with massive displays you can streamNetflixon, but even if yours isn’t an all-in-one entertainment centre, it’s best if you position the machine, so it faces a window or the TV.
That’s to avoid looking down on your feet as you run, which is dangerous as it disconnects you from the rest of the running environment. It’s the same as looking at the pedals as you cycle; it prevents you from noticing a change of pace, especially if you’re following a pre-programmed workout on the treadmill.
Using the treadmill for more than just jogging will make you happy, too(Image credit: Getty Images)
Using the treadmill for more than just jogging will make you happy, too
Using the treadmill for more than just jogging will make you happy, too
(Image credit: Getty Images)
4. Only using the treadmill for one type of training
It’s strange how most people will mull over treadmill specs for months but only use the machine for one type of training after it was bought. Big mistake! Treadmills are super versatile and can be used for a variety of workouts, including walking, jogging, running, and even HIIT.
5. Forgetting why you wanted a treadmill in the first place
Usually, when people spend a lot of money on fitness equipment, they have a specific fitness goal they want to achieve: lose weight, build muscle etc. Treadmills are often used for weight loss purposes and to continue training regardless of the weather outside.
It’s important to keep this original fitness goal in mind when using the running machine; we’d go as far as writing it down on a piece of paper and sticking it on the middle console of the treadmill to remind you.
Move it back a bit to allow for a more natural gait cycle(Image credit: Getty)
Move it back a bit to allow for a more natural gait cycle
Move it back a bit to allow for a more natural gait cycle
(Image credit: Getty)
6. Running too close to the front
People always gravitate towards the front of the treadmill, probably because it feels natural to be close to the console and away from the end of the belt – no one wants to fall off accidentally, after all!
However, the correct way to run on a treadmill is to be in the middle, so your gait is not restricted either way. It’s not hard to move up and down the belt as you run, and this is exactly what you should do to make sure your form is always correct.
You can always overstride a couple of steps to reach the console when needed, but you certainly don’t have to hug the unit for most of the session.
7. Holding on to the rails
Treadmills and Stair Masters are big fitness machines, but this is where the similarities end, so there is no need to hold onto the rails when running on a treadmill the same way as on the Stair Master.
There is only one scenario when holding onto the handrails is acceptable on a treadmill, and that is when it’s on an incline and in a walking setting. If you find it hard to run on the treadmill without holding on, it’s either the belt going too fast or the incline set too steep.
Adjust the settings and let go of the handrails.
8. Not using all the features
Modern treadmills are super versatile. They can help you improve fitness, slim down and entertain, not to mention all the pre-programmed workouts available o the machine straight out of the box.
So why are people only using it for jogging?
Data will always be available but you won’t need it for every run(Image credit: Decathlon)
Data will always be available but you won’t need it for every run
Data will always be available but you won’t need it for every run
(Image credit: Decathlon)
9. Relying too heavily on data
Workouts don’t always have to be about pushing yourself to the absolute limit. Sometimes, you can exercise for the sake of it or to help you wind down after a stressful day. Running on a treadmill is an excellent way to help boost metabolism and burn some of the excess calories you had throughout the day.
+1. Not using accessories
Contrary to what was said in the previous point, the final treadmill mistake you can make is not collecting data from your workouts. Manyrunning watchesandheart rate monitorscan be connected to treadmills, and some of them will provide you with more than just heart rate data.
Additional data these wearables provide include vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, vertical ratio (Garmin HRM-Pro) and even continuous ECG (Frontier X). Some running watches can measure running power on the wrist (COROS Pace 2).
This data can be beneficial to people training for a race or trying to improve their running form. Data is not essential foreveryrun, but it can come in handy when it’s time to level up.
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