When you look at a treadmill, it's easy to think that all you need to do is jump on board and start working. It just seems to be that simple! Perhaps you can change the speed from slow to fast, or you may want to adjust the incline level. That's all there is to it, right? Well, in fact there's a lot more to using a treadmill correctly than you might think. If you do it properly, you will be able to walk for longer and get a much better result from your efforts. Here are a few ideas for you to think about implementing the next time you use your treadmill.

Firstly, it's important to make sure that your body is balanced. You shouldn't be using your arms to balance yourself, as this can lead to tension in your arm muscles. Let your arms swing freely at your sides, just as they do would if you were walking or jogging outside. Raising your arms can cause tensions and cramps that make using your treadmill very uncomfortable. You could also be affecting the circulation in your arms if you don't maintain a comfortable swinging motion.

You also need to think about what you're doing with your feet. It's important to get your footwork right. Many people run or jog in a heavy and uncomfortable way that causes excess stress on the back and knees. If you focus on your footwork and walk on the heels and balls of your feet, you'll find you are much more comfortable. This applies whether you're running, jogging or walking on the treadmill. Correct footwork will mean that you feel more relaxed when you're finished on the treadmill.

Pay attention to your hips, too. It's important that you don't develop any strange motions when using the treadmill. Think about how your hips move when you're walking down the street, and duplicate that. If you keep an upright, straight posture with your hips and shoulders, then you won't cause unnecessary stress on your body. Keep one above the other and walk normally, so that you don't suffer any back pain when you leave the treadmill.

Once you get into the rhythm of walking properly on the treadmill, it will become second nature. But take the time to make sure you’re doing it properly, so that you can get maximum benefit from your treadmill without undue stress to your body. Enjoy your treadmill!