Treadmill- Love it or hate it?

memaw66

I am getting a treadmill this weekend and I was just wondering how many people love it or hate it. I never liked it in the gym but I think at home, with the stereo on and no one to distract me, maybe I will like it more. I won't have anyone next to me running on another treadmill. That always made me feel so self conscience and inferior because I could barely walk on the thing, let alone run! So does anyone out there have any good tips that would make me love it more?

memaw66

I am getting a treadmill this weekend and I was just wondering how many people love it or hate it. I never liked it in the gym but I think at home, with the stereo on and no one to distract me, maybe I will like it more. I won't have anyone next to me running on another treadmill. That always made me feel so self conscience and inferior because I could barely walk on the thing, let alone run! So does anyone out there have any good tips that would make me love it more?

luvlee884

I can't stand it - I burn more calories on the eliptical....

loreeb18

I like it but mine was a cheap one that doesn't have a wide tread and I lose my balance sometimes. (But maybe that's just me having bad balance.)

Jackie_W

I love the look of the ones at the gym - lovely and wide :happy:
Going to use one for the first time in 5 years tomorrow :bigsmile:

meganlkp

I have a cheap manual treadmill and I love it! I put the radio on and then walk really fast and look out the window - try and pretend I am trying to get somewhere fast. I walk for 2 minutes, jog slowly for 2 mins and then walk for 3 mins and jog for 1 minute etc to break it up - otherwise it would be really boring. Also, try and think about work or things you want to get done and prioritise them as you walk - that way you aren't watching the clock all the time.

Think of how great you bods gonna look in 1 months time if you stick to it!! 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes x Let that be a driver if anything )

irreligiouspiety07

For some reason being on the treadmill messes up my performance, i keep looking at the "time left" or something, i like jogging outside MUCH more. But hey, if it works for you i'm sure it can be wonderful.

kdsmith

I bought a treadmill about 5 years and used it 5 times/week up until this past summer when I took up running outside...now that the snow is coming soon I will be back on it. It was the best purchase ever.

kdsmith

Oh, I didn't add on any tips for loving it...I only use my treadmill when my kids are asleep so that I can listen to my music without being distracted. My husband likes to watch dvd's while he is on the treadmill and we will buy some tv series once in a while to watch each day on it.

Also...never do the same walking routine every day. One day do a long slow walk, the next day do a bit faster for 30 minutes and then slow for 2 minutes until the end of your workout. Add in one day where you do some inclines/hills. Keeping it varied really helps.

Keep a journal of your workouts because in 2 months you will be amazed at how much more you do and it is fun to look back.

jen_huff

I would much rather walk outside but it is getting cold and dark to early. I just got a treadmill 2 weeks ago. I watch TV when I am on mine. It makes the time go faster. But I totally agree with you, I hated them at the gym when someone was next to me. Plus now you can workout in your underwear in the comfort of your own home. (my husband loves it when I work out in my underwear!) :happy:

Nich0le

If you don't like it at the gym you probably won't like it anymore at home but if that is the equipment you choose...USE IT! The only difference for me is that I push myself a lot more at home than I would in a gym full of people but I have to move it around every few months for a change in scenery!

I like outside as much as the next person but is hot here so I spend the summer months trapped inside, but now that the weather is cooling off I would rather hike or go for a walk but the nice thing is the treadmill is always there so I have no excuses!

:flowerforyou:

Marla64

Bores the snot outa me.

songbyrdsweet

I used to run on the treadmill sooooooooo much, but I now run outside and enjoy it much more. The scenery changes, time seems to go by more quickly, and the treadmill hurts my tootsies a little bit. But it is definitely nice to have a place to run that's warm and comfortable!

memaw66

I am soooooooooooooo out of shape that I really have to start on the treadmill. Hopefully some day I will be able to run outside! There won't be any running for a while, I have to work up to that but I am hoping to. I see the people outside jogging and I always say "I wish I was disciplined and in shape enough to do that" Maybe I will make that one of my goals, to be able to run outside and have a routine about it. Yeah !

mrsyac2

I am getting a treadmill this weekend and I was just wondering how many people love it or hate it. I never liked it in the gym but I think at home, with the stereo on and no one to distract me, maybe I will like it more. I won't have anyone next to me running on another treadmill. That always made me feel so self conscience and inferior because I could barely walk on the thing, let alone run! So does anyone out there have any good tips that would make me love it more?

i think treadmills are great if you are trying to build yourself up to run or you like running- my treadmill was a waste # I HATE TO RUN- #2 When i was building myself up to run I preferred to do it on a track because I never felt right going at a fast pace on a treadmill-

Treadmill vs Elliptical

I prefer the elliptical even if it makes my feet tingle after so long its a great workout--

To each is own though good luck with yours

runnerdad

I used to run on the treadmill a lot, but now reserve it for days when the weather is just too bad to get outside, because running outside is so much more fun. Most treadmills will give you better cushioning than runs on sidewalks, so it's easier on your legs. It's also nice if you are recovering from an injury, or just aren't that fit, because you can get off when you're done, instead of getting a leg cramp and being two miles from home. Couple of tips, use your stereo / ipod or park it in front of the TV so you can watch a movie or something. Helps fight boredom. Except for maybe your warm-up and cool-down, never run it at 0 incline - always put it up at 1 or 1.5. It's not steep enough that you'll really notice the difference, but you will get a much better work-out. Change up your routine every work out - that makes it more interesting too.

luvdance

I listen to some music with good beats and like to groove or strut on the treadmill. :bigsmile:

HMBradley42

I like it but it can get boring I usually watch a favorite show of mine and the time goes by much faster. I just purchased the zumba 4 dvd set on ebay so I can switch it up a bit I heard zumba is really fun..Just waiting for it to arrive...I'll update when I know what I think of it.

Elaina

StacLR

I bought a quality treadmill about 10 years ago and I STILL use it. (I did however enjoy using it at the gym) It has a wide area to walk and is very close to the floor...so I don't feel like I am standing so tall that I am almost touching the celining. Also, I got one close to the floor so that if I fell off, I wouldn't have too far to fall.

The BEST part of having a treadmill for me is NO EXCUSES. Sure, being outside walking/jogging is great...but when you have put your exercise off all day and it is too late to go outside or the weather is bad, you always have a way to burn some cals.

I like for my treadmill to be positioned so that I have several inputs:

1) I like to see out the window in case I get bored
2) I like to see the TV (a for sure way to forget about the time)
3) I like to have the radio/ipod close in case I just want to watch TV, see outdoors and listen to the radio.

The most important thing is to enjoy your exercise. If you don't enjoy the treadmill, search for something you really LIKE doing. You wouldn't want the big purchase of a peice of exercise equipment to wind up a clothes rack.

stylistchik

I prefer the elliptical... i burn more calories but i feel less tired during and after my workout. I don't seem to get as bored as I do on a treadmill, either. I also have bad knees and hips and the impact of running affects me more. I'd invest in the elliptical over a treadmill.

greeneyes490

I am getting a treadmill this weekend and I was just wondering how many people love it or hate it. I never liked it in the gym but I think at home, with the stereo on and no one to distract me, maybe I will like it more. I won't have anyone next to me running on another treadmill. That always made me feel so self conscience and inferior because I could barely walk on the thing, let alone run! So does anyone out there have any good tips that would make me love it more?

Love it......it is a peice of equiptment that I keep going back to time after time.....I go through phases where i get bored so i do some dvd's etc...but always go back to it....i have it in frount of the tv so it takes my mind off of the time and/or i have my ipod on.....plus i can vary my workout by just walking, just jogging or running...or doing intervals....plus you can work your butt more by increasing the incline etc.....so versatile.....i also use it to do a warm up before doing a dvd by doing a slow walk just to heat up my muscles etc.....this is on thing that i would probably spend more on though.....i use to have a cheap one and it felt cheap......the tread wasn't very wide or long......and it wobbled alot...my new one i spent a few hundred more on it but got a much more comfortable surface and controls etc.....so try them out in the store before committing to one......good luck ....

songbyrdsweet

I am soooooooooooooo out of shape that I really have to start on the treadmill. Hopefully some day I will be able to run outside! There won't be any running for a while, I have to work up to that but I am hoping to. I see the people outside jogging and I always say "I wish I was disciplined and in shape enough to do that" Maybe I will make that one of my goals, to be able to run outside and have a routine about it. Yeah !

Oh, for walking it's great! I can't think of a better way to increase your aerobic endurance/CV health. You can numerically track your improvements--3.0 mph to 3.5 mph, 1-2% incline, etc. Plus you won't have the mental battle of 'It's SO cold outside!" When I walk on the TM it doesn't hurt my feet, just running. I think the console in front of me messes with my gait. Running is really enjoyable and rewarding, but it definitely takes time to build up to it to prevent injury. That sounds like a fabulous goal! :flowerforyou:

katiechakos

LOVE the treadmill. I run outside, too, but the thing that is so fantastic is you can control the speed and incline. I trained for my last 2 marathons on the treadmill and it was awesome. It's so freaking hot and humid in FL, so I appreciate the treadmill. I put rockin' songs on my i-pod, and that helps, too.

Theresa35

:yawn: BORING:yawn: Even with my ipod. Love the elliptical! :drinker:

I hope you find enjoyment in it. Have fun!

pinkyjane48

I dont like running in general. I think it might have something to do with my nose/airway (my left nostral always feels plugged) so after like 20 minutes, my whole body just screams at me. I can do intervals of sprint speed which isnt too bad but Id rather to line drills outside (I like how they go by faster. 15 min and Im spent! lol)

My sister LOVES the treadmill at her apt complex tho b/c its right in front of a nice plasma screen and she can watch House lol

Fitness_Chick

For some reason being on the treadmill messes up my performance, i keep looking at the "time left" or something, i like jogging outside MUCH more. But hey, if it works for you i'm sure it can be wonderful.

ah HAH....so that must be why some folks at the gym lay a towel across the screen deal... ok, it's beginning to make sense now.....:drinker:

GaoLee

It's not really that bad. I love mine. I bought mine at ****'s sporting good and it has 7 workout. All I do is choose a workout and choose the length of time and I walk/jog/run. Mine also have incline so I do that too. I don't have time to work out until very late at night so... it works well for me. Also... when I'm feeling hungry, mad or upset, I get on my treadmill. I love it.

cupcake568

For some reason being on the treadmill messes up my performance, i keep looking at the "time left" or something, i like jogging outside MUCH more. But hey, if it works for you i'm sure it can be wonderful.

ah HAH....so that must be why some folks at the gym lay a towel across the screen deal... ok, it's beginning to make sense now.....:drinker:

I was just going to post DON'T LOOK AT THE TIME LEFT! Just let the treadmill do what it is going to do...Imagine you are outside...you don't get to change the grade of the road and if you run/walk too far away from home you can't just stop...you still have to get home!

cmriverside

I love the treadmill at the gym. So tekkie. With all the different programs, can't get bored. Alll those people running faster than you started off walking and worked up to the 30-minute run, so it's something to work toward. I like that I can set really tough hills, not have to run, still burn lots of calories, and if I want to close my eyes with a good song, I can grab one of the handrails.

The elliptical is more fun, though and burns more calories faster, but you have to mix it up on exercise or your body gets comfie, and doesn't work as hard .

LovelyLady1977

Walking is my favorite form of exercise, so I the treadmill. I like how when you first get on you don't think you'll make it past the first 5 minutes, but once those first 5 minutes are done you feel you can go forever. Whenever I'm nearing the end of my time, I am always tempted to up it by 5 more minutes.

EvilPIB

I love mine. I get off of work @ 7am and around 8am I'm getting ready to walk on it (bad knees - running is not an option right). I own a treadclimber and it's like walking in sand so I get a decent workout. I usually put on an hour show or something longer than hour, cover my panel so I won't clock watch and 60 min later I have bured 657 calories. It took a while to get use to it but now I can't wait to use it.