Physical exercises, such as using the treadmill, can drastically improve our health. In fact, you don’t have to exert too much at the start – walking for a few minutes can make a difference. Today, let’s look at the benefits of using the treadmill, as well as some of the most common treadmill mistakes that you may be committing.
Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
Exercise can dramatically improve your health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Regular physical activity has both immediate and long-term benefits that can enhance your quality of life.
Some people think that doing regular exercise is only applicable when you’re trying to lose weight. What they’re missing out on is that if you are physically active, you can take advantage of the following:
- feel better with more energy and a better mood
- feel more relaxed and sleep better
- reduce blood cholesterol level
- reduce blood pressure
- have stronger bones, muscles and joints, and lower the risk of osteoporosis
- lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- lower the risk of falls
- manage your weight better
- have a healthier state of mind
- recover better from a period of hospitalisation
- reduce your risk of a heart attack
Indoor Physical Activities
There are days when it may be impossible to go outdoors to have your regular run at the park. However, that should not stop you from getting your much-needed exercise.
You may resort to indoor exercises, which you can do either at the gym or in your own home. You can do jump rope, crunches, planks, and water bottle weights. You can even do house cleaning or follow workout videos on YouTube.
The treadmill is quite popular among health buffs since it allows you to walk or jog without having to worry about the rain or too much heat outside. You can get your own treadmill if you want to workout at home, but I’d recommend that you visit Consumers Advocate for reviews beforehand. A regular 30-minute treadmill workout is already as good as your usual moderate aerobic activity.
The treadmill is one of the easiest exercise machines to use. If you are among those who either worry about jogging on an uneven terrain or find it difficult to walk uphill, the treadmill’s flat surface is perfect for you. Make sure that you’re using one of the top home treadmills in the market.
Benefits of Using a Treadmill
Using a treadmill can provide you with a number of benefits, which is why a lot of people have this equipment in their own homes.
- No worries about curbs or uneven pavement: The treadmill has a flat and predictable surface that allows you to either walk or jog in an even fashion.
- Ability to check how you’re doing: Most treadmills come with a monitor where you can track your progress. Important stats such as heart rate, distance, calories burned, and time can be monitored in modern-day treadmill machines.
- Ability to choose an exercise regimen: Some treadmills are equipped with preset programs that allow you to do walking or jogging at various speeds or at different inclinations.
- Effective calorie burner: Running at least 20 minutes allows you to burn at least 250 calories. Because of this, the treadmill has become a favourite equipment among weight-conscious individuals. You can burn more by pumping up your speed or increasing intensity.
- Effective cardio workout: Using the treadmill is a good cardiovascular activity. Regular use strengthens your heart, which in turn prevents the development of high blood pressure. Additionally, the act of walking or running reduces the stress on your heart as it gets the blood to flow normally.
- Muscle toner: Doing any type of exercise on a regular basis can help tone your muscles. By using the treadmill, it tones your calves, glutes, and quadriceps muscles.
5 Common Treadmill Mistakes You Need To Avoid
You may think that hopping on the treadmill surface and turning on the equipment are all you need to start a good physical workout. However, many people commit errors while using the treadmill. As a result, instead of reaping the benefits, they end up hurting themselves.
Make sure that you steer clear of these common blunders when using the treadmill:
1. Using the wrong kind of shoes
Did you ever notice why a specific shoe brand offers so many products? One of the reasons is because each pair is designed for a particular purpose
Having said that, you should never use a pair of running shoes for your basketball game because they’re not built with enough support that the impact of a usual ballgame may need.
2. Sticking with one routine
Most treadmills today have built-in variations from the usual exercise equipment in the past. For instance, you can now adjust the inclination of the surface to mimic walking or jogging on an inclined pathway. These are meant to change up resistance, speed, and calories burned.
Additionally, although the treadmill can help you boost your health, it’s also a good idea to mix up your workout program by involving other types of equipment or exercise routines. Otherwise, your weight may hit a plateau.
3. Keeping your arms too tight
Your arms should be bent parallel to each other and at 90 degrees. Make sure that your arms are not too tight – loosen them up!
On the other hand, wiggling your arms too much while walking on the treadmill won’t increase the number of calories that you burn.
4. Relying too much on the handle bars
The bars were built for a purpose: to provide support, such as when you are reducing the treadmill speed or when you need to regain balance.
However, when you have set your treadmill on an incline, walk normally as you would on an incline and let go of the bar. Holding on to it lets you burn fewer calories.
5. Poor posture
Learn to have a solid upright posture while on the treadmill. Leaning forward will let you develop an anterior tilt, which would make it difficult for you to maintain the right balance when you get off the treadmill.
Choosing the Perfect Treadmill
Check out the following factors to consider when looking for the right treadmill for your workout needs:
- The console holds all the monitors for speed, heart rate, calories, and time. You want to make sure that these are available so that you can track your progress anytime you want. Some advanced features may include an MP3 docking station, built-in speakers, and water bottle holders.
- Check the horsepower measurement of the treadmill. Be sure that you choose a treadmill that reads “2.5 chp” instead of “2.5hp”. It is highly unlikely for the latter to sustain your workout demands.
- The standard measurement of the belt is 19” x 50”, but this may shrink as some portion may be “eaten up” by the deck. Look for a belt that lists a running size of 20” x 60”. This will prove to be more comfortable for an active treadmill user.
- The sturdier the frame, the less shaking you will experience while using it.
Using a treadmill will provide several health benefits and encourage you more to attain a healthier lifestyle.
Using the device doesn’t have to be boring, though. Try to switch up your workout schedules and workout program to make things more exciting. You may also ask someone to join you as an exercise buddy, so you can both monitor each other’s progress and serve as mutual health motivators.
*collaborative post
