I use the treadmill frequently in the winter, especially when the snow covers the ground and the sidewalks are missing. I see a lot of people using treadmills in gyms but many of them are not looking very good.
To get the most out of your treadmill exercise, you need to have the proper walking form and posture. Not only will it give you more efficient exercise but proper form and posture will prevent pain and strain as well. Worse yet, with the wrong form you could injure yourself.
The first major mistake people make on the treadmills is getting on them completely wrong. You don't get on the treadmill when the belt is moving at a fast clip. Nor do you stand on the treadmill when it's not moving and having it come to life with a jerk when you set it. You could hurt yourself doing either of these.
You stand with one foot on each side of the treadmill so that you are straddling it. Start the treadmill at a slow speed, carefully get on, and then increase the speed smoothly. Make sure you know where the emergency halt switch is located. Often this is a bright red button.
When you are walking on the treadmill, walk the right way. You don't walk hanging onto something in front of you. Usually your arms swing back and forth. The treadmills handrails won't let you do that so let them go even if it means walking at a slower pace. That won't matter because you are getting a better workout with your arms hanging freely, If you have a condition where you do need to hang on to the rails such as dizziness, then do hang on to those rails.
Keep in mind that while your reading or watching your favorite TV program, your entertainment can be contributing to bad posture habits. If you are hunching your shoulders and looking down at a magazine you are reinforcing whatever bad posture habits you have. Besides, bad posture can lead to low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and it won't let you take full, complete breaths. You might as well be sitting in front of your computer.
The proper walking position is with head up and eyes forward. Put your reading material or video farther ahead of you so you are looking at that directly. Before you get onto the treadmill, suck in your gut tuck in your butt, titling your pelvis slightly forward. Pull your head straight up so it feels like your body is being lifted at the hips. Roll you shoulders backward so they're not rolled forward and keep reminding yourself to main good posture.
I think you'll find these hints helpful in your resolutions to exercise and become the best that you can be.
If you have other hints, share them with us, please. Scroll down to Comments and write your ideas in the blank window.
To your success at health.
Ruthan Brodsky
P.S. I started a new blog. It's called From Retirement to Career Change. Check it out and Opt In for free reports.
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