Stomping on the Treadmill

AprilPayne24
AprilPayne24 Posts: 68
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! I recently starting running. I usually run outside in my neighborhood (2 mile loop). However, when I cannot find time to exercise at home, I try to get a run in at the gym downstairs during work hours. Here is my issue with running on a treadmill: I feel very wobbly and I feel AND sound like I am stomping! It is so loud and my feet feel crazy heavy. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or if this is just the nature of the beast...Thanks! :)

Replies

  • jasperann
    jasperann Posts: 136 Member
    That is the reason that I can not run on a Treadmill, I feel like I sound like and elephant when running. But I don't know if it is just the way that I am running or if it is suppose to sound like that.
  • Darlingir
    Darlingir Posts: 437
    Me too...and I always feel as if I am going to trip over my own feet.
  • jasonp_ritzert
    jasonp_ritzert Posts: 357 Member
    Could be your shoes if you feel wobbly and might be worth consulting a shoe expert. I know it sounds wierd, but most nicer shoes stores that cater to runners offer this service for free and may be able to steer you how to change your running style to make it the most efficient. The 'heavy' sound you hear is probably the treadmill, not you. Usually the treadmill has been used a lot and lost some of the padding/support is now gone.
  • SomeMorr
    SomeMorr Posts: 220 Member
    This is why I never used my treadmill in my upstairs apartment, so the people below wouldnt think the world was ending. lol. I just throw in headphones at the gym and forget about it, all the other people make noise too (machines beeping, grunting/breathing).
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Sometimes if I'm walking across a tile floor in certain kind of shoes my steps are loud. But not on the treadmill.

    Is it is a sturdy, well-made treadmill with adequate cushioning?
    Are you wearing proper shoes?
    Are you using proper form?

    I looked at your profile and you have only 20 pounds to lose, so it can't be weight.

    That's all I can think of. Maybe you could ask someone in the gym to watch you. Some running shoe stores have treadmills so salespeople can analyze the customer's running style and better recommend shoes.
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    This is why I wear headphones when using the treadmill (or even outside). If I can hear myself at all - stepping, stomping, breathing - it distracts me.
  • TheWinman
    TheWinman Posts: 684 Member
    There are plenty of stompers, no big deal. Don't worry about and don't think about it, no one else in the gym is.
  • Heather2784
    Heather2784 Posts: 124 Member
    I can have this issue sometimes. Usually when I leave the treadmill in it's lowered position. If I put it at an incline, I run better.

    Also, are you making sure to hit the balls of your feet first? You can injury yourself by not running properly. Especially on a treadmill.
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    There are plenty of stompers, no big deal. Don't worry about and don't think about it, no one else in the gym is.
    IDK about that...heavy stompers bug me - especially when I can hear it over my headphones and I even once saw a girl trying to help someone be "less stompy" when running...

    It might just be your running form though. Like someone else said, maybe try to make sure to hit the balls of your feet first?
  • JenRLo
    JenRLo Posts: 95 Member
    I'm glad I'm not the only one! The treadmill literally shakes when I start running. I really notice my water bottle jiggling. As soon as it happens I try to step down "lighter." This usually helps me. I'm probably subconsciously readjusting my gait, but I think of it as being lighter on my feet.

    It's interesting about landing on the balls of your feet first. I really think I run heel to toe but I'm at work now so I can't try it out yet. Maybe I'll sneak out at lunch and run a little to see what my foot position is.
  • Sean_The_IT_Guy
    Sean_The_IT_Guy Posts: 168
    Second the above suggestion. Flat treadmills don't simulate real running that well. When you're really running, your centre of gravity is further forwards, putting more weight on the balls of your feet when you come down. Incline the treadmill up to about 13% and you'll better simulate running on flat ground.
  • TheWinman
    TheWinman Posts: 684 Member
    Second the above suggestion. Flat treadmills don't simulate real running that well. When you're really running, your centre of gravity is further forwards, putting more weight on the balls of your feet when you come down. Incline the treadmill up to about 13% and you'll better simulate running on flat ground.
    huh? 13% if far from seeming like flat ground.
  • spikefoot
    spikefoot Posts: 419
    how fast are you running?
  • AprilPayne24
    AprilPayne24 Posts: 68
    5.0 usually. Maybe 5.5 if I am feeling brave. :) These suggestions are fantastic, thank you. I am going to pay much more attention to what part of my foot I am landing on.
  • imchicbad
    imchicbad Posts: 1,650 Member
    I stay off the treadmill, I am an elyptica l(w/moving arms) kind of girl, less impact on your ankles and burns more calories, and I was in absolute pain when I used the treadmill- it was so wierd, and I mean like not the good burn but pain for 4 days and I power walk and elyptical 3 days a week, it is absolutly not like walking or running outside. If you feel that your wobbely and about to fall and such, I would switch, last thing you want to do is injur yourself. Some peoples feet-no matter what shoes are just not cut out for the treadmill and thats ok.
  • whayamean
    whayamean Posts: 50 Member
    After a while the stomping sound sorta helps me zone out until I'm done.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Sometimes if I'm walking across a tile floor in certain kind of shoes my steps are loud. But not on the treadmill.

    Is it is a sturdy, well-made treadmill with adequate cushioning?
    Are you wearing proper shoes?
    Are you using proper form?

    I looked at your profile and you have only 20 pounds to lose, so it can't be weight.

    That's all I can think of. Maybe you could ask someone in the gym to watch you. Some running shoe stores have treadmills so salespeople can analyze the customer's running style and better recommend shoes.

    I agree, could it be your form? I notice some people in the gym stomping away REALLY loudly when they run, and they're usually heel striking really hard...not the best for your joints. Try landing more on your midfoot, if possible, and visit a running store that can properly assess your gait and shoe needs.
  • dward2011
    dward2011 Posts: 416 Member
    Sometimes if I'm walking across a tile floor in certain kind of shoes my steps are loud. But not on the treadmill.

    Is it is a sturdy, well-made treadmill with adequate cushioning?
    Are you wearing proper shoes?
    Are you using proper form?

    I looked at your profile and you have only 20 pounds to lose, so it can't be weight.

    That's all I can think of. Maybe you could ask someone in the gym to watch you. Some running shoe stores have treadmills so salespeople can analyze the customer's running style and better recommend shoes.

    ^ this
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    If it is your own treadmill and not in a gym...

    Every now and then run barefoot on it and try to run quiet when you do. Incidentally that will force you into really good running form (if you are a heel striker you will realize the error of your ways very fast). When you run with shoes on, try to run the exact same way. Running barefoot is basically like having a built-in coach.

    Gyms aren't really cool with it, but if it is your own treadmill, shoes are pretty unnecessary. Treadmills typically have a pretty soft deck (esp relative to concrete) and good surface to land on (no need to worry about rocks or glass or whatnot). You won't be able to run as fast (at first), and if you are a heel striker it will need to be in moderation at first as your arches and calves just flat out aren't strong enough to handle barefoot running very long. But they will get stronger over time and you'll see HUGE benefits when you put the shoes on.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Second the above suggestion. Flat treadmills don't simulate real running that well. When you're really running, your centre of gravity is further forwards, putting more weight on the balls of your feet when you come down. Incline the treadmill up to about 13% and you'll better simulate running on flat ground.
    huh? 13% if far from seeming like flat ground.

    Maybe 3%? 13% is like climbing a super steep hill on a treadmill, most of them only go up to 15%...I have to hold on to the railings just to walk up an incline that steep!
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    Second the above suggestion. Flat treadmills don't simulate real running that well. When you're really running, your centre of gravity is further forwards, putting more weight on the balls of your feet when you come down. Incline the treadmill up to about 13% and you'll better simulate running on flat ground.
    huh? 13% if far from seeming like flat ground.

    Maybe 3%? 13% is like climbing a super steep hill on a treadmill, most of them only go up to 15%...I have to hold on to the railings just to walk up an incline that steep!

    Yes. i would not recommend trying to run on your treadmill at 13%. This must have been a mistake.
  • usernamejoe
    usernamejoe Posts: 219 Member
    My problem is watching tv and running on the treadmill at the same time.. sometimes I start leaning to my left and every now then I almost fall off..


    Try running on your toes instead ,maybe?!?!
  • Sumo813
    Sumo813 Posts: 566 Member
    Second the above suggestion. Flat treadmills don't simulate real running that well. When you're really running, your centre of gravity is further forwards, putting more weight on the balls of your feet when you come down. Incline the treadmill up to about 13% and you'll better simulate running on flat ground.

    Biggest reason for this is that the treadmill is pushing you, not the other way around. By increasing the incline, you then are setting the push in the same manner that you would when road-running. If you are a toe-striker, that shouldn't be an issue. If you are a heel-striker, then it could be awkward for a while.
  • kleverkira
    kleverkira Posts: 41 Member
    The treadmill might be causing you to over-stride a little, leading to the stomping feeling. Try to keep your turnover as close to 180 as you can, meaning your feet should hit close to 3 times per second. This will tighten up your form and keep your feet under you. It will also help with the running "lighter" as someone else mentioned.
  • LilRedRooster
    LilRedRooster Posts: 1,421 Member
    I'm more of a midfoot and forefront striker, so I don't necessarily feel like I'm "stomping", but I do feel like my feet are much heavier on treadmills, probably because I don't feel like I'm doing much "pushing"; the treadmill feels more like it's pushing me rather than the other way around. You can play with the incline a bit, maybe increase it, but if you're used to running on ground, I think it's always going to feel a bit "off" when you switch to the machine, because it's not the same motion at all.

    I only hit the treadmill when it's raining or I absolutely HAVE to; I actually prefer to run to the gym, do weights, if I want, and then run back, haha.
  • Sean_The_IT_Guy
    Sean_The_IT_Guy Posts: 168
    huh? 13% if far from seeming like flat ground.

    But you're also not moving forward on a treadmill. A grade on a treadmill more properly simulates running, because you have to lean forward more and use more effort. Flat treadmill running isn't nearly as strenuous as level outdoor running. You can just hop up and down on a treadmill and the miles roll under you.

    And yes, I meant 3.. Derp.

    Also, most treadmills can simulate hills, cycling from 1-5%. Thats a good way to simulate outdoor running, with changing grade, and you can find out if you stomp less at higher grades. I find a flat (0%) treadmill feels like running downhill, and I have to carefully monitor my form to keep from hyperextending and stomping.
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    The treadmill should be set at 1% incline to replicate outside....not 13%

    There are a lot of stompers in the gym running...don't worry about it...
  • CoachRobCampbell
    CoachRobCampbell Posts: 5 Member
    have a member of my gym who runs completely on the balls of his feet right up close to the hand rails and it sounds like an elephant is on the treadmill. He's only about 160 maybe and he actually looks like he's running lightly...not sure what the problem is. It drives me nuts though since he comes in during the slowest time of the day and no one else comes close to his noise level...sounds like he's going to stomp a hole in the treadmill. Any insight?
  • SarahCW1979
    SarahCW1979 Posts: 572 Member
    I didnt know I was a stomper until I forgot my earbuds. After 5 minutes of WTF??!! I figured out the noise was me.... OH THE SHAME! Eventually went from a heel to mid-foot striker. No more hippo!
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    Pretty sure everyone on the treadmill is stomping like elephants.. I wouldn't worry too much about the sound, more on your running form IF there is anything wrong with it. Everyone sounds like loud elephants when they run on those things..

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