Do you use a treadmill?

Posts: 550
2/25/13 9:30 A

I would rather walk/run outside, but due to time constraints and nowhere safe to exercise outside during my lunch hour I find myself using the treadmill a lot.

I set it on 1.5% incline and set the pace for 1:30 faster than my target 5K pace and find that I get a really good workout on the treadmill.

It's not an exact replacement for pounding actual pavement, but I like it well enough to keep using it.

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2/25/13 6:54 A

No---outside is better. Second choice is elliptical.

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2/25/13 6:53 A

I can't afford one, so no for me. But I don't think I would use one anyway - my little corner of the world has plenty of bad weather, but there's really nothing like coming back from a run in the rain and wind and feeling really, truly proud of yourself. But then I'm a little weird :P
It WOULD be very convenient, though.

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2/25/13 1:51 A

yes

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2/25/13 1:27 A

Yes and love/hate it too !

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2/25/13 1:19 A

I don't have one I can use right now, but I too am keeping an eye out for one. Actually, I like the idea of a folding treadmill since I don't have a lot of free space in my home at the moment. But when I do use treadmills, I find them very helpful and I'm not as sore or uncomfortable as running on the concrete.

Edited by: LIZZIE174 at: 2/25/2013 (01:20)

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2/24/13 5:25 P

Yes I have one.

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2/24/13 5:03 P

I want one so bad. I keep looking for a good sale on one.

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2/24/13 4:16 P

No, but I would love to get one!

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2/24/13 3:11 P

I have a love/hate relationship with my treadmill. Sometimes it's my best friend, other times it feels like my worst enemy. But we spend 30-45 minutes together, 5 times each and every week. It's an essential part of my SP exercise program.

Other friends include my stability ball, free weights, medicine ball and resistance band.

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2/24/13 2:50 P

Yep. I live in Florida, so running outside 85%+ of the year is pretty miserable. Plus, I have injured my knee in the past, so the treadmill provides a good running surface. However, I do anyways run/walk on a 2% or higher incline to combat the boost that the belt gives.

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2/24/13 10:02 A

I wish I had one, hopefully I will get one once we move into a house and out of this apartment!

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2/24/13 9:40 A

Yes,when the weather is bad.

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2/24/13 9:30 A

yes

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2/24/13 8:27 A

on occasion I do

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2/24/13 8:06 A

I live in FL, we can run or walk outside all year long. No treadmill for me.

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2/24/13 1:00 A

the only thing I don't love about my treadmill is that I can't run with my dog! I love my treadmill. If possible I always run outside but with two small kids and a husband who works shift work, it's nice if I want to go for a run and I can just jump on my treadmill!

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2/23/13 9:09 P

I used to but then I got the best fitness accountability partner ever- MY DOG! He forces me to go on walks/runs with him just to meet his own exercise needs, which in turn meets mine. When I got my dog, I got rid of my treadmill because a friend wanted it, so I gave it to her, knowing I would have to stick to my walk/run plan with my new buddy! Cold, hot, any weather except for rain(and sometimes even slight drizzle is still ok), we are outside working together!

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2/23/13 8:42 P

When necessary. And I define necessary as really cold weather (below the teens) and icy sidewalks. I had to use it recently because the snow from Nemo was still hanging around. I was able to get in my runs as scheduled (training for my 5th half marathon), but it was hard. I got up to 8 miles but hope that I can shift my 10 mile scheduled for tomorrow so I don't have to do it inside (another storm coming)!

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2/23/13 8:06 P

yes, I'm a baby when it comes to running in the cold

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2/23/13 5:19 P

yes

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2/23/13 12:27 P

Yes. I've had to go to the treadmill exclusively at this point. 5 times a week, 45 mins. I used to run outside and LOVED it. However, my lower back took a beating and have degenerative disk problem at this point. My treadmill allows me to soften the deck and I'm now back to running pain free!

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2/23/13 12:17 P

I can't exercise outside in the winter so the treadmill has been a lifesaver. It bores me to death, so I do all intervals to keep me focused and engaged. It's great for speed work and I've really improved.

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2/23/13 11:30 A

Yes, i have a love/hate relationship with my treadmill, but it has indeed been the biggest help with weight loss.

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2/23/13 7:41 A

I use an elliptical. I think it lets you stretch your achilles better and you don't get shin splints.

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2/23/13 3:31 A

Jefeist... There are stretches you can do before you walk. (Youtube) I would increase your speeds and inclines. Take it one day at a time. Before you know it you will be able to walk faster and at a greater incline that walking at a 0 incline feels weird.

I start out at a 3.0 then work up to a 3.5 on speed.
Inclines start at 1 for about 3 mins then increase a whole number every min till I am at 10 walk that for 10 mins at 3.5. Then back down to 5 at 3.3 for about 3 mins then back up to 10 for 10 then cool down. Most of the time I will burn 300 calories in about 1.5 mile. My next goal is 12 for 12 and 15 for 15. BUT bare in mind I am gradually working my way there so that I dont damage my ankles and shins. Hang in there you will get it.

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2/15/13 11:46 A

At home & at the gym but I really like to mix up my workouts because I see treadmill workouts as dull more often than not.

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2/15/13 11:25 A

Yes, and i have one at the house

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2/15/13 10:42 A

No but I do have a stationary exercise bike (recumbent)

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2/15/13 10:34 A

yes

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2/15/13 10:29 A

When you live in a place that has winter 6 months of the year, a treadmill definitely has its place in your exercise routine, so yes, I use a treadmill and count the days until I can go outside.

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2/15/13 10:05 A

No, but wish I had one!!!

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2/15/13 10:03 A

Yes

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2/15/13 10:02 A

Yes, more in the Winter, but I prefer long walks.

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2/15/13 9:42 A

When weather makes it necessary - but I think I would use it more if I had a better one. (It's on my wish list!)

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2/15/13 9:10 A

After running/jogging outside for 40 years, I much prefer the outdoors to a treadmill. I like the breeze on my face, the view from the roads, and small animals I see in the early morning before dawn. There were not any treadmills in our town to use until 22 years ago when we got a new fitness club! I don't remember having any in the gym when I was at college about 35 years ago.

However, they do have a place in my life. Sometimes I use it for a quick, 10 minute warm-up, or a short workout when near the club. I also use it for interval workout and the accurate timing on it. I used to run so fast that I thought I would run off it, but since I have aged and slowed down, that is no longer an issue. I also use them in inclement weather such as icing conditions, hail, freezing rain, and severe weather. I have run in the rain for decades, so I'll get wet before I go inside on a treadmill.

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2/15/13 4:28 A

Sometimes but I always feel balance is an issue

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2/14/13 8:59 P

no

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2/14/13 8:21 P

I despise a treadmill!! But they are helpful on rainy or super hot/cold days, they just bore me

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2/14/13 7:33 P

Yes, I do ~ some days its a treadmill and some days its a dreadmill.

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2/14/13 7:12 P

yes

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2/14/13 3:33 P

Yes. Love my treadmill.

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2/14/13 2:45 P

I used treadmill at work

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2/14/13 11:13 A

yes, I do 6 days a week for 30 minutes.

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2/14/13 10:11 A

sometimes, but I would rather walk outside.

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2/14/13 8:48 A

yes

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2/14/13 8:45 A

no

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2/14/13 8:29 A

no

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2/14/13 8:07 A

Due to snow, I have no choice but to use it.

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2/14/13 6:48 A

Yes, everyday!

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2/13/13 11:24 P

Jefeist, perhaps your body has reached a plateau because it has gotten too used to a routine. I suggest adding some variety in either another form of exercise (workout video, dance, another cardio machine) or changing up your treadmill routine. I find that upping the incline to 8-12 (to the point you need to hold on) will really make me sweat and works some muscles not normally worked.

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2/13/13 8:18 P

only because dragging my outdoor running clothes to the gym is a PITA.

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2/13/13 8:13 P

during winter and bad weather I use my treadmill. And now I am doing a spin class one day a week.

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2/13/13 1:43 P

YES! I love the treadmill after Zumba ... it gives my heart rate a break and a nice slow decreasing pace. It also helps to work out the kinks. I'm not much of a runner, but I love putting the elevation up on the treadmill in an effort to burn more calories in less time.

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2/13/13 1:39 P

My treadmill and I have a love-hate relationship. An uneasy friendship. And yet it is my greatest help in losing weight and becoming stronger. I use it winter and summer to avoid walking outside when it is icy or hot and humid. I walk 2-3 miles, 4 or 5 times a week.

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2/13/13 1:23 P

JEFEIST - sounds like no fun at all. (Shin splints.) I don't know what to recommend for that; it seems like maybe you need to do something like bicycling or swimming to get the impact off your shins. But I'm not a fitness expert by any means.

I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every morning. It gets my heart pumping and I like getting at least that much cardio in first thing in the day.

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2/13/13 1:10 P

i do, but i would rather jog outside. in the winter it is usually too icy or snowy outside.

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2/13/13 12:34 P

When I absolutely MUST, I use a treadmill. I hate being able to see the hundreths of a mile tick by (especially for anything over 5 miles). I will run outside in just about anything but freezing rain or hail to avoid the treadmill. It is nice to have the option when it's cold, dark, and rainy though. It keeps me from having an excuse to skip a run.

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2/13/13 12:31 P

I do use a treadmill. I need some advice on chagning up my Treadmill Routine though. At the start of January I began walking 30 minutes every night - 2 minute warm up at 2.0; 16 minutes at 2.5; 10 minutes at 3.0 and then a 2 minutes cool down at 2.0 for a total of 30 minutes. At the begining of February I added a 2nd 30 minutes in the morning same routine. I have not really varried speeds or inclines too much. I tried once and ended up with shin splints that got me off the treadmill for a few days. I have lost 10 pounds since the beginning of the year and 3 inches - but have hit a plateau. So what I need is advice on how to change things up without being so drastic that the shin splints return (they are awful!!!).

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2/13/13 12:28 P

Yes, at home and at work.

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2/13/13 12:15 P

I haven't recently but plan to soon. I'm planning on getting back into running and I don't like running around here. I actually prefer going to the gym to run on the treadmill.

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2/13/13 10:33 A

At the gym I do sometimes. I prefer to run outside when I can though.

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2/13/13 10:20 A

Only when I have to. I find the same amount of time running outside is so much more enjoyable than on the treadmill. Sometimes weather keeps me in though.

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2/13/13 10:18 A

I don't like to, but I will if the weather is otherwise inhospitable.

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2/13/13 10:08 A

Definitely. The weather is almost never good for running outside. Plus, while I'm still learning to run, it helps me set a pace and know how far I'm going.

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2/13/13 10:03 A

no

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2/13/13 10:00 A

Yes! Heat in the panhandle is horrific.

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2/13/13 9:00 A

Absolutely. In the heat of Florida and the rainy months of the year, its the only option. Plus I use it to mix up my routine - I'll do a quarter of a mile, ride the bike 1/2 mile, go another quarter, hit 2-4 weight machines, do a quarter, do another 1/2 on the bike, do another quarter and finish up whatever weight machines i have left.

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2/13/13 8:23 A

The treadmill keeps me active in the winter and rainy weather.

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