C25K at home... no treadmill?

jlm962
jlm962 Posts: 64
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, I am wondering what would happen if I tried to do the C25K in place at home? How would it work? Would it work, at all? Obviously I know it wouldn't be like the real thing, but here in MN its going to be getting cold in the next few months. Not to mention the only time I have is at 5 am and its dark out still!

I would do the program again the right way in the spring. Is it just wasting time to do it this way??

Replies

  • deniseg31
    deniseg31 Posts: 667 Member
    I've been wondering the same thing...LOL! I hope you get some responses. :smile: I guess anything will work as long as you get your HR up.
  • dexters_dexterity
    dexters_dexterity Posts: 342 Member
    leslie sansone walk away the pounds. she has 1 mile to 5 mile workouts. each mile is done in 15 minutes thats is like u r walking at 4mph
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    get something warm to wear... to me this sounds incredibly boring.
  • socialite1
    socialite1 Posts: 109
    I would say instead of running in place, maybe try jumping rope or jumping jacks? That would definitely get your heartrate up and give you a good leg workout.
  • bprague
    bprague Posts: 564 Member
    I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say without actually running... you can't do the C25K program.
  • brittanydaniel79
    brittanydaniel79 Posts: 226
    any motion is good motion...i'd say try it, but if you find that it's hard to stick with, it may be out of boredom. i've walked in place out of necessity before, and it's kind of lame. but if you don't like it, try renting or buying exercise dvds to build your strength up for running in the lovely spring weather.
  • megarooni
    megarooni Posts: 50 Member
    At the different sports facilities they have passes that are typically pretty cheap for their indoor field houses and you can run there... I don't know how effective running and walking in place would be, but I guess you could try. I am about to run into this same issue... I actually asked my boss if I can put a treadmill in our office (we are a really small office with tons of space... He actually said yes as long as he could use it too. I know that probably doesn't work in your area. Even a community center where you live. I'm toying with the idea of getting a gym membership for the winter. I just have to decide where and what is the most convenient, because if it is not convenient chances are you will not go. Good luck on your journey!
  • l3ugjuice
    l3ugjuice Posts: 233
    IMO, it would certainly be better to do than to do nothing. Probably not the same benefit as you would get from actually running...but exercise is exercise. If it's a choice between running in place or sitting on the couch, choose the former. Then when it warms up you will be a step ahead in doing it the 'right' way.
  • thirtyandthriving
    thirtyandthriving Posts: 613 Member
    I think it would be very boring and not as beneficial to run in place for 30 minutes. Its just not the same muscles working. Do you have a community rec center near by with a treadmill or track?
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    get something warm to wear... to me this sounds incredibly boring.

    THIS
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    ETA: It might be better viewed as more of a stepping stone between doing nothing and actual running. It makes me more willing to try it if I can start in my comfort zone and work my way out of it. Hope this helps!
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.
  • edorice
    edorice Posts: 4,519 Member
    Running in place would get boring super fast for me. i would recommend the Insanity home workout if you wanted to increase your cardio performance inside.
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.

    I was editing this as you were typing, but yeah. It won't really get you in shape for that on it's own, but I can't see how it's a bad start. Exercise is NOT all or nothing for me. If it was, I would have quit 235 days ago.
  • rodneyderrick
    rodneyderrick Posts: 483 Member
    This is like fighting without knowing how to fight. You want to train to run without doing any real running. The next thing you'll be trying to do is touch the moon by climbing up on a ladder. Running isn't the only viable method to getting into shape. Wal-Mart sells step benches that are an excellent way to get into shape in small spaces. When I can't do much running, which is never, but I've had my moments, I pop in a CD, and dance around the living room until my wife forces me to quit. After thirty to forty minutes, I usually have a good sweat. If you log, don't go into the red too much, dance around your living room, and lose forty pounds by the spring, you'll be running like a cheetah.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.

    I was editing this as you were typing, but yeah. It won't really get you in shape for that on it's own, but I can't see how it's a bad start. Exercise is NOT all or nothing for me. If it was, I would have quit 235 days ago.
    My comment really had nothing to do with "all or nothing", but the whole entire point of the C25k program is to get you off the couch and running a 5k in 9 weeks. Running in place using the C25k program is like making a really bad Jillian Michaels rip off workout. So many better options than running in place, if you don't care about being able to run.
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.

    I was editing this as you were typing, but yeah. It won't really get you in shape for that on it's own, but I can't see how it's a bad start. Exercise is NOT all or nothing for me. If it was, I would have quit 235 days ago.
    My comment really had nothing to do with "all or nothing", but the whole entire point of the C25k program is to get you off the couch and running a 5k in 9 weeks. Running in place using the C25k program is like making a really bad Jillian Michaels rip off workout. So many better options than running in place, if you don't care about being able to run.

    I was just adding to yours and my thoughts. I do care about running. I plan to do the program in place, then move it outside. Baby steps. Also, I hate Jillian Michaels. ;)
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.

    I was editing this as you were typing, but yeah. It won't really get you in shape for that on it's own, but I can't see how it's a bad start. Exercise is NOT all or nothing for me. If it was, I would have quit 235 days ago.
    My comment really had nothing to do with "all or nothing", but the whole entire point of the C25k program is to get you off the couch and running a 5k in 9 weeks. Running in place using the C25k program is like making a really bad Jillian Michaels rip off workout. So many better options than running in place, if you don't care about being able to run.

    I was just adding to yours and my thoughts. I do care about running. I plan to do the program in place, then move it outside. Baby steps. Also, I hate Jillian Michaels. ;)

    I'm about to start week 9 C25k tonight and I know that since I've been running on the treadmill for it, I will still need to do some outdoor training in order to 'really' run an outdoor 5k race, as you just don't use the same muscles even on a treadmill. Go figure I can run 28 min on my treadmill, but walking outside for 3.5mi makes my legs get a lil sore since it's hitting those seldom used muscles :smile:
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    I actually did some research about this to start it, because I don't have a treadmill either, and I'm very self conscious about starting it outside until I get my sea legs so to speak.

    I found that walking in place should be more like marching, with your heels still coming down first and rolling to the toes.

    Running in place should be on the balls of the feet, and you can think of it as trying to do butt kicks to make it more like actual running.

    Here's some links I found to get me started:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/279148-running-in-place-vs-treadmill/
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/382133-good-exercise-walking-marching-in-place/

    These are just the ones I ended up bookmarking, but feel free to do some more googling. I've done the first day of C25K by walking and running in place, and I was still sweating and tired by the end. Good luck!

    It would surely make you sweat, but able to really run a 5k? Nope.

    I was editing this as you were typing, but yeah. It won't really get you in shape for that on it's own, but I can't see how it's a bad start. Exercise is NOT all or nothing for me. If it was, I would have quit 235 days ago.
    My comment really had nothing to do with "all or nothing", but the whole entire point of the C25k program is to get you off the couch and running a 5k in 9 weeks. Running in place using the C25k program is like making a really bad Jillian Michaels rip off workout. So many better options than running in place, if you don't care about being able to run.

    I was just adding to yours and my thoughts. I do care about running. I plan to do the program in place, then move it outside. Baby steps. Also, I hate Jillian Michaels. ;)

    I'm about to start week 9 C25k tonight and I know that since I've been running on the treadmill for it, I will still need to do some outdoor training in order to 'really' run an outdoor 5k race, as you just don't use the same muscles even on a treadmill. Go figure I can run 28 min on my treadmill, but walking outside for 3.5mi makes my legs get a lil sore since it's hitting those seldom used muscles :smile:

    Dude, I totally get that. I'm sorry if you're not understanding that that's what I'm trying to convey. I will still have to do it outside to be able to actually build endurance. But as a starting point, I'm more comfortable with doing it in place first. That's all I'm saying.
  • katrina1025
    katrina1025 Posts: 74 Member
    I'm not sure what your goals are, but...
    My mother is a hardcore crazy runner (love her!) But she will run in a snow storm all bundled up with ski googles (I couldn't even make that up). My uncle runs outdoors as well, but my Aunt didn't want to. She started running at home inside on a small indoor trampoline. it improved her cardiovascular fitness level and she dropped about 40 pounds. As others have mentioned probably not a great way to get into shape for running but for general cardiovascular health and calorie burn it's another idea.

    Endurance and strength are task specific. So it all depends on what goals you are looking to achieve. Hope this helps!
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Dude, I totally get that. I'm sorry if you're not understanding that that's what I'm trying to convey. I will still have to do it outside to be able to actually build endurance. But as a starting point, I'm more comfortable with doing it in place first. That's all I'm saying.

    I get what you're saying, absolutely, I was just adding a bit to that.
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    Dude, I totally get that. I'm sorry if you're not understanding that that's what I'm trying to convey. I will still have to do it outside to be able to actually build endurance. But as a starting point, I'm more comfortable with doing it in place first. That's all I'm saying.

    I get what you're saying, absolutely, I was just adding a bit to that.

    I can see that. It just felt like you were beating a dead horse there for a second :)
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Dude, I totally get that. I'm sorry if you're not understanding that that's what I'm trying to convey. I will still have to do it outside to be able to actually build endurance. But as a starting point, I'm more comfortable with doing it in place first. That's all I'm saying.

    I get what you're saying, absolutely, I was just adding a bit to that.

    I can see that. It just felt like you were beating a dead horse there for a second :)

    Nah, was just relating how personally, even with the way I'm doing C25k, that I need outside work before I can do a 'real' 5k. Nothing really is the same as going outside, but building endurance certainly will get you towards doing it. I plan on trying to do outdoors after I finish the program, myself. Good luck with the program :smile:
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    Dude, I totally get that. I'm sorry if you're not understanding that that's what I'm trying to convey. I will still have to do it outside to be able to actually build endurance. But as a starting point, I'm more comfortable with doing it in place first. That's all I'm saying.

    I get what you're saying, absolutely, I was just adding a bit to that.

    I can see that. It just felt like you were beating a dead horse there for a second :)

    Nah, was just relating how personally, even with the way I'm doing C25k, that I need outside work before I can do a 'real' 5k. Nothing really is the same as going outside, but building endurance certainly will get you towards doing it. I plan on trying to do outdoors after I finish the program, myself. Good luck with the program :smile:

    I plan on doing the exact same thing! Good luck to you, too! :)
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