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A treadmill can seem scary to the beginner. They're big and bulky, make a lot of noise and have tons of buttons and moving parts. But I'm about to let you in on a secret: They're really not that scary. In fact, with just a few hints, the treadmill will become your new best (and healthiest) friend! Walking is one of the easiest, fastest and safest ways to get your recommended daily amount of exercise. And although walking around the block is a no-frills way to get your steps in, what do you do when it's dark, rainy, or too hot or too cold to spend more than just a few minutes outside? That's where the treadmill comes in. The treadmill, either one that you've purchased for your home or one that you hop on at the gym, is the perfect piece of workout equipment. It's ready whenever you are, no matter what the weather (as long as you have electricity, that is). Take the Right Step Forward Although each treadmill is a little different, all treadmills have two basic buttons: the "start" button and the "stop" button. The start button is usually large and green, and the stop button is usually large and red. Just like a traffic light, green means go and red means stop. To get started on the treadmill, stand directly on the belt. For safety, almost all treadmills are equipped with an automatic stop-button function. Find this safety mechanism—it's usually a clip or pin—and attach it to the band of your workout shorts or pants. Make sure the other end is attached to the treadmill (it's usually a magnet). This way, if you happen to trip or fall, you'll automatically pull the safety cord, stopping the treadmill in its tracks. It's probably rare that this safety mechanism needs to be used, but it's good protection nonetheless! Next, look for the green start button and be ready to move those legs. As soon as you hit the start button, some treadmills will start moving (usually slowly). Others (typically the most expensive, commercial ones) will ask you for some information first. Using a number pad (if available) or up and down arrows, enter the information that the treadmill is asking for. Most treadmills want your age, weight, height and gender, which is a good thing; the more information it asks for, the more accurate the calories-burned estimate will be. Some treadmills may also ask you if you have a time goal (this means how many minutes you'd like to work out) or if you'd like to follow one of its programs or use the manual option. For beginners, the manual option is a good choice so that you can play around with the speed and incline as needed. Once you've entered your information, you'll probably need to hit enter or the start button again if your treadmill isn't moving yet. Once you do that, expect the belt to start moving and walk naturally with it—just like you would if you were walking outside. Start slowly, but play around with increasing the speed (do this slowly so as to not push yourself too hard too quickly) and the incline. One of the best benefits of a treadmill is that you can monitor and adjust your pace precisely during walks and/or runs as you want. You can also replicate hills by bumping up the incline button, which is a fabulous way to build muscle, target your glutes, and burn more calories. If at any point you need to pause your workout or take a break, hit the stop button. The treadmill will slowly decrease its speed and come to a stop. Most treadmills will give you the option of restarting your current workout by hitting the green button again to start. If you've completed your workout, simply hit the red stop button again. Then you're done! And if you chose a timed workout, then at the end of your allotted time, expect the treadmill to slow down to a slower speed. Most new treadmills, especially the ones at health clubs, will have a built in two- to five-minute cool down. Talk about easy! A note about handles: while the handles can aid in balance, leaning too much of your weight into the handles of the machine will decrease your workout intensity and burn far fewer calories. Try to use the handles only temporarily, such as when you first hop on the treadmill and find your footing, or if you have to pause the treadmill. Some handlebars and consoles have heart-rate-monitoring sensors embedded in them to measure your workout intensity. These are generally less accurate than conventional heart rate monitors with chest straps, but can help you quickly check your heart rate from time to time. It is not necessary to hold onto these monitors during your entire workout; instead, grab them occasionally for a heart rate check to ensure you're working at the proper intensity, then resume walking or running while pumping your arms at your sides. Now that you have the basics, here are a few tips on getting the most from the treadmill.
See how good of a friend the treadmill can be? Now hop on! After following this guide, it shouldn't be long before other people are asking you for help getting started with the treadmill! This article has been reviewed and approved by SparkPeople Coaches Jen Mueller and Nicole Nichols, Certified Personal Trainers. |
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Fitness Articles › Fitness Equipment How To'sGetting on the Treadmill5 Tips for Beginners-- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness InstructorSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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About The Author
Jennipher Walters
Jennipher is a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She blogs regularly about her own fitness adventures at www.fitbottomedgirls.com. See all of Jenn's articles. |
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Member Comments
-RK - 5/30/2012 1:56:17 PM
I finally got up the courage to get on it recently. I was scared, because I am so out of shape that I was worried about falling, because my balance right now is terrible. One of the trainers checked me over and found that my core is so weak, that is what is giving me bad balance. So I got on the treadmill, started at lowest speed, 1, and 15 minutes felt like it was going to kill me! Few days later I got on again, bumped speed up to about 2 and did 25 minutes with no problem!
Now I am excited, because I want to keep increasing my speed and incline, and also aim for spending about 60 minutes on the treadmill. When I was younger, slimmer and in better shape, I walked everywhere and enjoyed it. I would like to be that way again!
Maybe I really can do this after all! - 2/21/2011 5:32:01 AM