Treadmill beginner

1lexisva

Anyone use the treadmill? Any advice for a beginner?

BigT555

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

TMattP

Hello.

Really good set of comfortable headphones and some high tempo music combined with the Couch to 5K training plan.

Worked for me and I'd never been a runner.

It's taken me about 6 months to go from zero to comfortably running 5K. Not a fast 5K but I get there.

peleroja

Treat it like any other running exercise. If you're never run before, using an interval-based program like Couch to 5K is your best chance at success. It makes running seem much more manageable.

Also, you may want to use a slight incline at all times (I vary mine but always have one) to compensate for that bit of propulsion from the machine. Makes running outdoors seem such easier if and when you do that.

And I always use a small towel to cover the time so I don't just stare at the seconds ticking by.

bcattoes

Start at a level that challenges you, but you are comfortable with. Increase whenever you can and still fit those criteria. Increase speed and/or incline. Add speed or incline intervals.

peleroja

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

Not everyone feels that way. Probably no need to discourage a new runner immediately, no matter where they run.

Not everyone has access to safe, comfortable places to run outdoors on a regular basis.

TMattP

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

I started my running in winter. A treadmill was ideal. You get a lot of people saying treadmills are awful, run outside and thats fine. End of the day you just need to RUN.

1lexisva

Thank you! I am just walking on an incline at about 3 mph..I never thought about running lol

martinel2099

Use treadmills that have heart rate monitors attached and use the cadrio training option and enter your age / weight. It will increase / decrease the intensity of the workout based on your heart rate and maximize your workout. Treat the calories burned as estimates and maybe record slightly less calories burned than what the machine says. Generally speaking, I feel more confident in the estimate when I can enter my age/weight/ and track my heart rate.

Some people don't like tredmils, I personally like them and have really grown to like ellipticals in the last few months. I like them because I can bring my smart phone, connect it to the gym's wifi and watch netflix and youtube. Cardio time is my TV time, that's how I unwind at the end of the day.

apaulsey

I use my treadmill almost daily. Some advice would be to experiment with how you want to use it.
Walking at a quick pace, incline or no incline, if you have programmed workouts to select you might want
to try those. If you have a calories burned readout on your treadmill, do not trust the number it gives you.
Invest in a heart rate monitor to track your average heart rate then use a calories burned app or online calculator to determine how many calories you actually burned. Finally listen to some upbeat music to keep you motivated during your time on the treadmill. Otherwise it will feel like you have been on there for an eternity when you have only been on for a few minutes. I used to use my ipod with playlists I created, now I use my smartphone and listen to Pandora.

mitch16

Take some time to learn your way around the treadmill. Know where the STOP button is. Learn how to jump off the moving belt in an 'emergency'. Start slow.

Learn from my bad--don't zone out too much else you will fly off the back and have bloody shins to show for it.

lemurcat12

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines.

Heh, I kind of agree with this, but know that treadmills can be handy, especially if you don't have good outdoor running options or it's 100 degrees and you aren't used to it or below zero and snowy like it was back in January and February when I started trying to get back into it.

Basically, there's no real trick to it. Up the speed gradually. Don't forget to warm up before you start trying to go faster. Step on the tread (the moving part), and stay away from the edges. Play around with the incline--I find it's easier to get a good workout on a treadmill by walking fast at an incline or playing with intervals, since I get bored at steady state indoors.

I find music or a good podcast absolutely essential, but some people use the C25K program or this Zombies Run app that is supposed to make it more fun.

MyCabbages

I can't even express how much I love treadmills, and how much I hate running outside. Yes, it's a bit repetitive, but I found that if you create a list of good music, or have a device capable of watching Netflix (etc) on, the time really flies.

To make the most out of a treadmill though, you should find one that lets you input your age and weight and has a heart rate monitor. This will give you a much more accurate read of your calories burned and the kind of work you are doing.


Personally, my knees and shins are a bit shot from being overweight and they start to really really hurt if i walk/run downhill or sometimes even flat. I use ACE knee supports but they really just curb it. Treadmills give me the ability to put on a slight incline and save my knees! You certainly can't get that outside!

Capt_Apollo

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

+1

1lexisva

Use treadmills that have heart rate monitors attached and use the cadrio training option and enter your age / weight. It will increase / decrease the intensity of the workout based on your heart rate and maximize your workout. Treat the calories burned as estimates and maybe record slightly less calories burned than what the machine says. Generally speaking, I feel more confident in the estimate when I can enter my age/weight/ and track my heart rate.

Some people don't like tredmils, I personally like them and have really grown to like ellipticals in the last few months. I like them because I can bring my smart phone, connect it to the gym's wifi and watch netflix and youtube. Cardio time is my TV time, that's how I unwind at the end of the day.

I actually got on the treadmill at the Gym with a heart monitor and thought my heart rate was high..that's why I was asking this question:) Thank you

lemurcat12

Learn from my bad--don't zone out too much else you will fly off the back and have bloody shins to show for it.

Someone else! This similar to my most embarassing gym moment story, from maybe 15 years ago. I was working out at lunch and trying to see something on a big TV to my left and stepped too close to the side and lost my balancing and went flying off the thing.

It was not that crowded so I convinced myself no one had noticed, picked myself up and continued my workout. Was feeling fine when I went to leave, only to be called over by the person working at the front desk and asked to sign a form releasing them from any liability (this was a health club in my old office building, which was full of law firms, but still...).

OP, this is actually quite uncommon, I think. I'm a klutz.

1lexisva

I can't even express how much I love treadmills, and how much I hate running outside. Yes, it's a bit repetitive, but I found that if you create a list of good music, or have a device capable of watching Netflix (etc) on, the time really flies.

To make the most out of a treadmill though, you should find one that lets you input your age and weight and has a heart rate monitor. This will give you a much more accurate read of your calories burned and the kind of work you are doing.


Personally, my knees and shins are a bit shot from being overweight and they start to really really hurt if i walk/run downhill or sometimes even flat. I use ACE knee supports but they really just curb it. Treadmills give me the ability to put on a slight incline and save my knees! You certainly can't get that outside!

Thanks! I was messing with it yesterday with the inclines and speeds

1lexisva

Thank you EVERYONE for your prompt responses!!

MeanderingMammal

Anyone use the treadmill? Any advice for a beginner?

Unplug it and go outside. Some people are motivated by the numbers on the little screens, but personally I find running outside to be far more fulfilling. I get bored after 10 minutes on one of those infernal machines.

Regardless of that, I'd recommend one of two approaches to develop your running; either follow a pre-packaged plan or come up with your own that progressively challenges you.

Couch to 5K is pretty good, very popular and there are a couple of support groups on here for it where you'll get some decent advice.

As an alternative, if you're more comfortable coming up with your own then do that, and push yourself to increase your time a little each session. That takes more self discipline, but it may work better for you.

Keep your pace comfortable, if you go to fast you'll burn out.

1lexisva

Anyone use the treadmill? Any advice for a beginner?

Unplug it and go outside. Some people are motivated by the numbers on the little screens, but personally I find running outside to be far more fulfilling. I get bored after 10 minutes on one of those infernal machines.

Regardless of that, I'd recommend one of two approaches to develop your running; either follow a pre-packaged plan or come up with your own that progressively challenges you.

Couch to 5K is pretty good, very popular and there are a couple of support groups on here for it where you'll get some decent advice.

As an alternative, if you're more comfortable coming up with your own then do that, and push yourself to increase your time a little each session. That takes more self discipline, but it may work better for you.

Keep your pace comfortable, if you go to fast you'll burn out.

Thanks! I have been walking on it since it was my first time using it yesterday...I am not really a runner

MeanderingMammal

Treadmills give me the ability to put on a slight incline and save my knees! You certainly can't get that outside!

fwiw I've had reconstructive surgery on my knees and ankles in the past, currently pushing out about 30-40km per week running outside.

Treadmills provide no discernible benefit to impact related injuries, and there are some schools of thought that suggest that running outside, particularly trail running is far more beneficial as it places a lot more emphasis on dealing with a range of different movements. Treadmills only support exercising a very limited range of actions.

That is not to say that they don't provide the opportunity to churn out lots of miles, and they have a place in a serious runners training programme, but given the opportunity to get outside there are far more general benefits for health and fitness.

But if you really enjoy a hamster wheel that much, that is not to say don't do it.

qmmanager69

I read somewhere that if you subtract your age from 220, that will give your max heart rate while exercising. Not sure if that's 100% accurate, but at 45 y/o, 175 would be my max. I feel stressed @ 150 and as a beginner I generally don't go above that. Someone else said headphones and a great play list. I love 80's rock for exercise (The Clash, Talking Heads, the GoGo's...anything with a driving beat).

Amitysk

During the winter and cold months I use my treadmill (for walking) a lot. Now that the weather has improved I am walking outside. I like to make sure that I have a really good music playlist going or when I used the one at the gym I watched TV too.

1lexisva

I read somewhere that if you subtract your age from 220, that will give your max heart rate while exercising. Not sure if that's 100% accurate, but at 45 y/o, 175 would be my max. I feel stressed @ 150 and as a beginner I generally don't go above that. Someone else said headphones and a great play list. I love 80's rock for exercise (The Clash, Talking Heads, the GoGo's...anything with a driving beat).

Thanks!! Mine was 170-180s and I am 32 I haven't worked out since Oct I think I need to slow it down until I build my endurance

1lexisva

During the winter and cold months I use my treadmill (for walking) a lot. Now that the weather has improved I am walking outside. I like to make sure that I have a really good music playlist going or when I used the one at the gym I watched TV too.

I like walking outside too! Refreshing when it's not so HOT lol

lisaanne1369

Florida girl here and the heat is starting to get to me,love my treadmill but I love running outside more.Just take it easy and listen to your body. Have fun!

1lexisva

Florida girl here and the heat is starting to get to me,love my treadmill but I love running outside more.Just take it easy and listen to your body. Have fun!

Thank you!!

Muffie22

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

I love treadmills! If the only available way of running was to do it outdoors I'd never get off my butt because I'd be too paranoid about people looking at me. Plus it rains pretty much 24/7 here so not exactly a great motivator. On treadmills I get motivated by what's on the screen and can watch junk TV without feeling bad about it, which keeps me from getting bored. Everyone has different preferences and it's a whole lot better than doing nothing at all

1lexisva

run outside instead.

treadmills are soul-sucking death machines. im not an avid runner but im trying to get into it, and have in the past as well. nothing is worse than running in the same spot for an extended period of time

I love treadmills! If the only available way of running was to do it outdoors I'd never get off my butt because I'd be too paranoid about people looking at me. Plus it rains pretty much 24/7 here so not exactly a great motivator. On treadmills I get motivated by what's on the screen and can watch junk TV without feeling bad about it, which keeps me from getting bored. Everyone has different preferences and it's a whole lot better than doing nothing at all

True...I can be at home watching a movie without doing any exercise lol

martinel2099

To calculate your max heart rate-

Formula- Age adjusted

Men MHR = 220 – age
Women MHR = 226 – age

To calculate your target heart rate (for working out on the treadmill or running) shoot between 50 to 85% of your max heart rate from the formula above.

dotcomee

Treadmill or outside, does it matter? Whatever motivates to get off your *** is a good thing. I don't really understand the treadmill hate, but to each their own.

I personally like to control my incline and speed rate whenever I want. You can keep your workouts very consistent (how fast, how long, etc). Easy to track gradual improvements in your performance. I also like to catch up on TV shows while on it (sad but true). Again, whatever motivates you.

I do agree that I don't really feel any less impact on the treadmill vs outside.