Some people, when they get on a treadmill as opposed to running out in the great wide open, may adjust their form in negative ways without even meaning to. You run differently when you’re on a treadmill, and understanding these slight differences and correcting them when need be can help keep you healthy. A new report relates some important tips that all runners should understand when they run on a treadmill.
Many individuals, when they get on a treadmill, see the smaller space afforded to them and end up taking smaller steps as a result. The effort is almost sub-conscious, with the brain seeing what amounts to a sort of wall and limiting leg movement accordingly. But when smaller strides are the norm on a treadmill, it becomes more difficult to reap the benefits of the full exercise and the action leaves a person more exposed to injury.
Run how you would if you were outside. If you’re finding that your large strides are bringing you too close to the front of the machine, maybe you just need to increase the speed by a small margin. Give your legs the chance to stretch out in a matter that’s healthy to your body and allows you to make the most out of the run. You get all of your muscles more fully involved in this way, and your chances for injury are reduced dramatically.
When on a treadmill, it’s also tempting to use it as a kind of prop for that part of the run when your energy begins to dwindle. It’s not uncommon to go to a local gym and see people holding on to the hand rails or leaning over the front console.
While this may seem like a boon for the exhausted runner, doing so actually limits what one can get from a run. It also places excessive strain on the runner because of how he or she has to contort their body in order to accommodate the draping of their body. Your back leans forward, cutting down on respiratory ability and wreaking havoc on posture, our wrists might get bent backward to an unhealthy degree, and your strides fall into the trap described above.
Run like you would if you didn’t have that prop there. Stand up straight, always looking forward with your eyes on the prize. Keep your arms free to move forward and backward in a natural striding motion, and if you do get tired, slow down treadmill speed or simply stop the workout instead.
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