BENEFITS of a TREADMILL

There aren’t many things that offer the amount of benefits that a treadmill does when it comes to losing weight, getting fit, or serious training!

The popularity of the treadmill is unsurprising, as it is sometimes too much of a chore to actually get your kit bag ready, drive to the gym, get changed, have to queue up for the machine you want (if you go after work when it is busy), then shower, get changed and then drive home. It is far easier to hop on the treadmill for a quick hour while you watch your favourite program or DVD, have a quick shower at home, then you’re ready to go!

CONVENIENCE You can use them at any time. No driving back and forth to the gym. No more running in the freezing cold, pouring rain or dark winter nights. You don’t need a babysitter to look after the kids for an hour. You can watch TV, listen to music or chat on the phone to pass the time. Your drink or food bar (for long sessions) is close at hand. No big bunch of keys jangling in your pocket. It is EASY to fit into your routine when you don’t have much time.

SAFETY Treadmills are easy on the joints, especially if you are recovering from injury. With no uneven pavements to run on, you are less likely to pick up an injury. As you are using a natural motion - walking or running the way you do anyway - you are not forcing the joints to move in an unnatural way and are therefore less likely to get an injury. Also there is no chance of getting a nip from a passing dog (which has happened to a friend of mine on several occasions, one time he actually needed a good many stitches!)

EASIER to WORKOUT Planned workouts become easier with specific goals in mind – i.e. 1 mile at a certain speed, the next mile at slightly faster speed, then more miles back to a slower speed etc. etc. It is more straightforward to measure distances when you decide to do a longer run or a shorter run. Exercise plans are effortless to stick to as there are no constraints on when you can use a treadmill.

WEIGHT LOSS A treadmill will burn more calories than any other fitness machine. If you are trying to lose weight you will need to burn calories as well as reducing your calorie intake if any weight plan is to succeed.