Need a Treadmill Running Tip or two? Then check out this page with treadmill running tips!
Whether it is bad weather or convenience, many people
are turning their attention towards the treadmill.
The big question is whether treadmill running can actually give you the sameskill,
speed, or endurance that you can get on the road.
Check out the following treadmill running tips and you can stay on top of your game, even when you run indoors.
Treadmill Running Tip #1: Watch Your Form
It is always important to pay attention to the position of your body
and how your legs are extending when you
run, but it is even more important when you are running on a treadmill.
While running on flat ground your legs come forward and then pull back
behind you to compel your body forward. The treadmill requires a differentmotion
because you are not moving your own body, but rather depending on the
treadmill to keep you moving.
Keep your body completely erect and watch howfarforward
your legs reach. You want to keep your legs under your body rather than
way out in front or behind. This will reduce your risk
of getting injured on the treadmill as well.
Also note that when you run on the flat ground you naturally lean
forward slightly. This can be mimicked on
the treadmill by inclining the running surface a couple inches. This
should not be a steep incline, though you can change the incline
throughout the workout
Treadmill Running Tip #2: Pay Attention to Beginnings and Endings
Warm ups and cool downs are always important features of taking a run,
but they are even more important to your
safety when running on the treadmill. It is almost natural to come to a
slower jog and then walk while you are winding down from
a run outdoors, but there is temptation to just turn off the machine
and hop off when you are working out indoors.
Especially when you make your run part of a gym routine, then you may not take the time to
go through the proper warm up or cool down procedures. But please do! It will help prevent certain
strain & tear injuries and reduce muscle soreness.
Eventhough it is tempting to jump into your upper-body work in order to
not lose time, make sure you finish your treadmill run with a slower
run or walk and some gentle stretching.
Treadmill Running Tip #3: A Little Incline Goes a Long Way
Treadmill
running is easier than running outdoors. Instead of pushing yourself
forward, the treadmill takes care of some of that movement.
When you run without incline, you may fool yourself into thinking that
you are faster or fitter than you really are. To get closer to your
"outdoors-ability" make sure you put the treadmill on an incline of
about 1-2%. This makes you work a bit harder, and makes your treadmill
run a bit more like running outdoors.
Treadmill Running Tip #4: Make Use of the Machine
When you run outdoors, do you run at one continuous pace?
Is the terrain flat, continuously? Of course not!
A treadmill of decent quality usually has some pre-set programs
in there. Make sure to make use of the machine.
For normal, easy runs, I would recommend you do a program like "Rolling
Hills" which every few minutes changes the incline. It is hard, but I
feel that this is one of the better ways to mimic running outdoors.
Most treadmills have some great interval programs as well. I
am a real outdoors runner, but some speedwork sessions are better done
on the treadmill. When you are outdoors and you get tired, it is very
normal to slow down.
Because a treadmill just keeps on going, I find it easier to stick to
the pace and to "hang on in there" for those last few painful seconds /
minutes.
Decide to take it up beyond a few inches? Just watch how long you stay on averyhighincline. It is incredibly hard
on your body to endure a steep incline for a very longperiod of
time, so be reasonable and switch regularly.
I hope these simple treadmill running tips help you with your treadmill runs, so that when you do go outdoors, your runs there are reasonably comfortable as well.
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