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Outdoor running vs Treadmill

_jayciemarie_
_jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
edited February 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I started exercising in July by walking outside up and down a lot of hills in my town. Then I started walking and running. I did this until October where wet winter weather graced Nebraska--and really hasn't left. This week I started using a treadmill at the Ymca. I workout for about the same amount. I always stretch before/after. I'm a large chested girl (38DDD). WHY does walking/running on a treadmill hurt my lower back so incredibly bad, and walking/running on concrete only has hurt my ankle and knee? My lower back is so sore and I dont really know how to stretch it. The only thing I can think of what is happening is on the treadmill I must have my arms different then when I am out in the open. On a treadmill--how should you have your arms? Down by your legs swinging? Up and bent like you are power walking/running? Or hold onto the bars? Ugh. I feel stupid.

Replies

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    I try to keep my arms just like they are when I'm outside. Don't run so fast you have to hang on. Start with walking. Say, a 3.2. Then do a 4.0, then do a 4.5 then a 5.0, then, if it feels right, a 5.5... Keep an eye on your form, your arms. Keep it natural feeling.

    Many folks find that putting the treadmill at a slight incline (.5 or 1.0) helps.

    ps: how are your SHOES??

    Good luck!
  • _jayciemarie_
    _jayciemarie_ Posts: 574 Member
    I actually just bought some new shoes. I think I have probably walked/ran 150 miles in them. I read somewhere you should get new shoes every 300 miles. I don't know how true that is.

    On the treadmill I wasn't holding on. I had my arms much higher than when I am outside. When I'm outside I walk with 1lb weights, so my arms are more down. I don't know if it is a good thing to keep my arms up. Am I hurting myself or building muscles in a new place? I need to find a trainer.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Holding the bars significantly lowers your calorie burn so don't do that. Try setting the incline to .5 or 1 and see if that helps.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    I dunno. Both inside and out I try to keep my arms loose, just below a 90 degree angle, with my hands relaxed. Perhaps google youtube videos of treadmill running? I know there are lots of videos on treadmill form.

    I run inside about 1 month or so a year. But have never had any injuries from it. lucky me!
  • SoftHeat
    SoftHeat Posts: 44
    Are you stretching your hammies well enough? And jeeze those are some giant TaTas. What kind of bra do you wear? I'm always in the market for something good. Recently I moved to 'Moving Comfort'.


    http://www.wikihow.com/Jog-Without-Any-Lower-Back-Pain
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,251 Member
    Are you stretching your hammies well enough? And jeeze those are some giant TaTas. What kind of bra do you wear? I'm always in the market for something good. Recently I moved to 'Moving Comfort'.


    http://www.wikihow.com/Jog-Without-Any-Lower-Back-Pain
    I wear a moving comfort too. Great bras for an TaTa size.
    Good link!!
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