Daily Treadmill Workouts are a Great Way to Keep in Shape
Serious runners and walkers eventually turn to treadmill workouts so that they
can exercise safely and conveniently at any time of day or night in their own
homes. Fitness experts agree that one of the best ways to get in shape and stay
that way is by running or walking every day, but the reality is that it isn’t
always safe or practical to do so on “the open road.” If your free time is in
the early morning or late at night, or your route is by a roadway where there is
heavy or high-speed traffic, your most important goal may become getting home
alive, which misses the point of the whole thing. Also, it isn’t fun or
sensible to run in the snow, sleet, hail, rain, or the blazing sun. A treadmill
workout is the answer to all these problems.
There are health clubs and gyms that offer treadmill workouts to their clients,
but you may have decided that you don’t like the hours offered by the club or
gym near you, or the locations are not convenient, or you prefer not to have an
audience when you work out. Whatever drives you to it, if you are concerned
about health and fitness, you will eventually buy a treadmill for home use, and
you should make sure you are getting a good piece of equipment at a reasonable
price. It is also important to select a model with features that you will use
and enjoy:
• If you have limited room in your home or apartment, you will be happiest with
a fold-up machine that can be stored out of the way in a closet or under the
bed.
• If money is not a concern, you can combine fitness and entertainment by
choosing a treadmill with a built-in television and speakers; or you may be
happy with an inexpensive manual machine, which you can position in front of the
TV.
• There are treadmills with controls that monitor speed, pace, incline, time,
distance traveled, calories burned, and with heart rate controls and pulse
sensors.
• Many models have built-in racks and nests to hold reading material, a water
bottle, a CD player or a cell phone, and a towel.
• If you would like sophisticated gadgetry on a treadmill but the cost is
prohibitive, you should check out the used treadmills and the discount
treadmills, which may offer what you want at a price you can afford.
A Variety of Treadmill Workouts are Available
• There are treadmills that include workout CDs with energizing music and
workout videos with spectacular scenery to create the illusion that you are
outdoors, or you can buy these separately. (And if you want fresh air to go with
it, you can open a window.)
• Some treadmills have pre-set programs, such as interspersing flat surface
workouts with inclines, or by varying speeds. Some programs are designed for
weight loss and some for cardio fitness, and all will have different levels of
intensity. There are programs that vary the speed and force of the workout to
keep your heart rate within a pre-selected zone.
• On some machines, you can design a personal program for yourself, and, of
course, all treadmills allow the user to change the speed or incline during the
workout, usually at the push of a button.
Treadmill Workouts Keep You Motivated
• ProForm – Some models of ProForm treadmills come with interactive workout
disks that include music, incline and speed controls, and recorded advice by
personal trainers to encourage you to monitor and gradually improve your
cardiovascular fitness.
• Precor – Precor treadmills have a patented system to absorb the shock of
impact, have cool and quiet motors, and a quick start feature. These quality
machines also specialize in providing a variety of programs to challenge and
motivate you (anywhere from five to eighteen programs, depending on the model).
You can be sure of finding a program that is perfect for you, and you can change
to another when you are ready to move on.
• Spirit – Spirit treadmills are the best fold-up machines on the market and
they also have preset programs that adjust the speed and incline according to
your heart rate, or you can customize a program.
It is important to vary your programs in order to motivate yourself to improve
your conditioning, or to increase your body strength, or to help you with weight
loss or weight maintenance:
• Try walking backwards on the machine at an easy pace.
• Walk at various speeds with mirrors in front and beside you to check your
style, posture, technique, etc.
• Begin by walking or running for five minutes, and then step off the treadmill
and do one minute of crunches, push-ups, lunges, and any other exercises that
appeal to you, and then back on again and repeat until you have exercised for
your usual length of time.
• After walking or running for ten minutes, step off and do ten minutes of
stretching or weight training and then back on again, and repeat as desired.
• Light some candles, burn some incense and turn on spa music to walk off your
stress.
• Walk or run in the nude (make sure the curtains are closed).
In fact, anything you can think of that adds variety to your workout and keeps
you interested is worth trying.
Information about brands, models, and features of individual machines, as well
as comparisons of various models are available online by consulting treadmill
reviews and information on the Internet. Remember that online retailers don’t
have the storefront expenses that are standard for most sports equipment
outlets, and so they are able to offer you, the customer, brand name machines,
both new and used, at big savings. Make sure there is a warranty of some kind
in place if you buy a used, discount, or factory refurbished treadmill.
Same-day shipping is sometimes offered, or shipping within three to five days,
and sometimes the cost is included in the price.
There are countless benefits to be gained by engaging in daily treadmill
workouts. You will increase your bone density, your endurance, your cardio
fitness, and your general health. Exercising is psychologically rewarding
because it increases your feelings of accomplishment and well being, and,
therefore, is good for your mental health. The investment in a treadmill offers
big rewards. Let us help you find what you need and start you on the road to
improved physical and mental health. You will be happy with the results.
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