Treadmill Training and Safety Tips

Treadmill Training and Safety Tips


Exercise can help you lose weight, make your bones and muscles stronger, relieve depression and stress, and lower your risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and colon cancer. Using a treadmill is a great way to keep up your exercise regimen when other factors are inhibiting your outdoor routine.

The following 10 tips can help keep you safe and maximize your treadmill workout:

1. Make Certain You Know Your Health Status

Sometimes a fall on a treadmill is caused by a cardiovascular incident (CVI), like a heart attack or a stroke. CVI affects males over the age of 55 with high stress levels, among other risk factors. Make sure you have a clean bill of health before starting an exercise program.

2. Recognize the Signs of Trouble During Your Workout

If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or light-headedness, stop your workout. These are warning signs that there may be an underlying health condition you should discuss with your physician.

3. Become Familiar With the Safety Mechanism

This is often a clip that can be attached to a user's clothing. If you trip and fall or lose your balance, the key will pull away from the machine, shutting down the treadmill.

4. Keep Distractions, Like TV and Music, to a Minimum

Exercising on a treadmill while watching TV or reading could be too distracting and might increase your chance of injury from a fall. Start your workout at a slower pace, be aware of the width of the treadmill belt, ditch the headphones until you find your rhythm, and keep the volume low.

5. Have a Plan in Place Before You Start to Exercise

If your treadmill isn’t at a professionally staffed gym, let someone know that you are about to get a workout in. Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency, or work out with a buddy.

6. Wear the Proper Gear When Working Out

Avoid clothing that could snag in the belt of the treadmill, and be sure to wear good athletic footwear. And never wear sandals or flips-flops or run barefoot on a treadmill.

7. Straddle the Deck Before Turning On the Treadmill

Avoid starting the treadmill while standing on the belt. The motion could catch you by surprise and knock you off balance, sending you flying. Get into the habit of straddling the deck and allowing the belt to start moving before stepping on it. And when you're finished with your workout, always stop the machine before getting off.

8. Maintain the Right Form on the Treadmill

Keep good posture, which means your shoulders should be back, and your head facing forward, not looking down at the floor. Relax your hands and let your arms swing naturally. Keep the same length of stride as you would outside. Don't let your strides get short and choppy.

9. Pay Attention to Where You Are on the Machine

Don't drift to one side on the belt. Know your limits; when you feel fatigued or lose proper form, it’s time to stop before you get hurt.

10. Increase Time First, Then Intensity, to Avoid Injury

When you are starting your treadmill program, gradually add time to your workout first. You can increase intensity later by adding speed or increasing the incline of your treadmill. Experts also recommend increasing either speed or intensity, but not both at the same time.


Location: Connecticut, USA

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