Treadmill Tips
A treadmill is probably the best exercise equipment designed for performing workouts at home. With this machine, you can reap the benefits of walking, jogging and running while remaining at one place and doing other activities, like reading novel and watching television. Another major advantage of exercising on treadmills is that you can continue your daily workout, irrespective of the weather conditions, which is not so with jogging in outdoors. What's more, you do not have to enroll yourself in a gym or visit fitness centers.
In comparison to running on sidewalks, using a treadmill reduces discomfort and injury to the ankles, knees and lower leg portion. With advancement in technology, several features are also being upgraded in the machine for monitoring overall health and effective weight loss. No doubt, treadmills are the most popular exercise machines. But, one of the most common complaints with regular treadmill users is the monotonous workout. With time, the exercise routine becomes boring for many people. This is where, the need for correct tips regarding the treadmill comes into the picture.
The configuration of treadmills is mainly emphasized on walking exercise and other alike forms. There is no basic skill required for using them in the regular way. However, there are certainly other physical activities that can be performed with this indoor exercise equipment. Also, with proper user guidelines, you can achieve your calorie shedding and weight losing goals. Discussed below are some of the treadmill tips for beginners, which you may be interested in knowing.
Proper Preparation
There is no specific preparatory step as such for using a treadmill. All you need is put on your comfortable running shoes and outfits and start walking. You can consider hearing to music or reading your favorite book, while performing treadmill workouts. This will definitely reduce boredom to some extent. However, make sure that you do not divert your mind from exercise, so as to avoid falls and injuries.
Warm Up
For any sort of exercise program, warming up and stretching muscles for a few minutes are crucial to increase stamina and at the same time, reduce injury. The same tip applies to treadmill workouts to lose weight. Consider walking at a speed of 1.5 - 2 mph for about 3 minutes, before indulging in jogging or running at a fast speed. Once you are used to this low speed, gradually increase warm up stride to 4 mph.
Main Workout
After warm up session is over, you can continue with already set running plans. Start with the low level first and proceed the same for at least 3 - 4 weeks. Do not jump to difficult level directly or else, it will cause muscle strain and injury. Afterward, you can adjust the pace and incline as per your personal fitness requirements. A slight inclination of 1 - 2 percent gives the effects of outdoor jogging and minimize risk of leg injury.
Correct Body Posture
Another tip concerning treadmill workouts for beginners is to keep the upper body in an upright posture while exercising. It is usual to pull the feet slightly backwards during treadmill workouts, but you should control your stride and avoid leaning forward. Also, never hold the handrails during running or jogging. They are configured for safe climbing and getting down from the treadmill. So, accordingly use them in the right manner.
Cool Down Step
Last but not the least, cool down after your treadmill workout is over. Compulsorily spend at least 5 minutes in slow walking or jogging at the end of the exercise program. This will bring the stride and heartbeat to near normal rates. Failure to cool down properly causes dizziness, muscle cramps and fatigue symptoms.
Keep the above highlighted tips for weight loss in mind for safer and risk free exercising. As we all know, both running and jogging are easy ways to lose weight. They are cardiovascular exercises that strengthen the heart muscles, promote circulation, maintain normal heart rate and burn calories. So, get yourself busy in performing treadmill exercises and get maximum benefits.
