Most people think using a treadmill effectively entails jumping on and running or walking.
You adjust the speed, add some incline and you're done! Actually, there is a lot more to getting the most out of a treadmill workout than that.
Using it correctly will allow you to prolong your workouts and get much more benefit from them.
This article will give you some tips on how to best use your treadmill.
First of all, balance is important.
You should not have to use your arms to hold on to the sides.
This will add tension to the muscles in your hands and arms and will tire you out without adding much benefit to the workout.
Your hands and arms should hang at your side freely, just as they do during a regular walk.
Footwork is also very important.
Practice walking from heel to the balls of your feet.
This natural motion will greatly reduce pain or stress on the foot, ankle and knee and will allow you to extend your workout.
It will also make the workout much more pleasant because you are doing it pain free.
There will also be less stress put on to your back.
Do this while walking, jogging, or sprinting on the treadmill.
Your hip work plays a role as well.
Your hips are the entire body's natural swivel point.
You need to have a rhythmic, natural motion to your hips as you move.
Often, because of the different feel of a treadmill versus walking or running outside, people subconsciously change the way their hips move during a workout.
This can cause a myriad of problems throughout your whole body and cause you to cut your workout short.
Practice these things consciously for a couple of weeks until the motions become second nature.
After a while, you will not even have to think about it.