There are plenty of joggers who do not believe there is much value in treadmills. But they are wrong because there is a long list of advantages - they offer a safe and regular running surface and they tell you exactly what distance you have covered. A treadmill run is never disrupted by the weather, you can run safely at night and you cannot get attacked or be in an auto wreck.
Therefore treadmill running does have some benefits. However we also need to know what are the disadvantages of this type of running and how can they be overcome. The problems with treadmill running fall into 2 groups: 1. relying on treadmill running may bring problems if you are following a training program. 2. problems that can be overcome if you purchase the right treadmill.
The first problem, the impact treadmill training will have on your overall fitness program, depends on your fitness aim. So if it is purely to become fit then stay there, you will find the treadmill a winner. Running offers a fine cardio workout, and though it is not equally effective on all parts of the body it helps your legs (of course) and your back, chest, stomach and arms. Some folk will want to complement the running with Pilates, swimming, weights or whatever. Another bonus for runners is that it is one of the exercises that works your bones - good for keeping osteoporosis at bay. If running is not yet in your sights, running machines are great for walking on as well.
If your fitness goal is a running race - a fun run, a marathon or a shorter event - then the running machine should only be part of the running you do. For road racing we need to practice on the road so that we become accustomed to the different stresses and strains this causes. Anyone who only runs on a machine will not be comfortable on the road. Yet the treadmill helps in many situations, like if the only time you can train some days is after dark and you do not want to run around at night on your own. If you want to use the treadmill to train for outside running then set the incline feature to 1% - this helps get your striding right for outside conditions.
The rest of the problems we will encounter are to do with buying the wrong kind of machine. Buy a treadmill that is good enough to last for a long time - many people under buy thinking that they can trade up later. The trouble with this tactic is that many of the cheaper models are so bad that you will be quickly discouraged.
You want to buy a product from an experienced running machine company. Do not neglect the motor, but do not simply buy the largest motor your money can buy - 2 HP is plenty if it is quality and bigger motors that come cheaper may have shortcomings like poor cooling systems that lead to failure.
Something else to consider is the size of the belt on the treadmill. Some come up very short which means the area you have to run on is quite tight. Running on short belts is difficult, so go for one with a longer belt. You should also look at the electrics. Look for something that is simple and straightforward to use. And to be certain make sure you try a couple before you buy, then you can make you purchase online or at a store.
Copyright 2006 Roland Dunley. All rights reserved. Roland Dunley's website Use Treadmills for Health helps when you're looking for treadmill related topics on the internet. Be sure to visit his archive of articles here: http://www.usetreadmills.com/articles/ | |
