Is the treadmill bad for you?

banslug said:
Booboo.....I personally thank you for posting about Chi Running and the POSE Method (I've never heard of that). I've been trying to see if I can work on my foot strikes to help/alleviate my PF. I'm going to be checking those techniques out!

Gayle
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Gayle,
You are most welcome! I have just started reading the ChiRunning book and have already ordered The POSE method book & dvd. I hope to finish the book today and start implementing some of the drills into my daily routine. Best of luck with your new endeavor on learning about these methods.
Booboo
 
Let me put it this way...if I had my choice of 3 things I would take to a deserted island, my TM would be one of them!!!!

I can't believe that! Geesh!
 
I can't believe it either. That's very odd. Christine, I find what your ortho said interesting too--I've heard from my podiatrist & the PTs that the treadmill was better for your joints than the outdoors b/c it's softer & springier than surfaces like pavement so is lower impact.

I can see the awkwardness of movement though if you use an incline a lot.

Oh well. Just more fitness info that contradicts itself. :confused:
 
andtckrtoo said:
My friend who is a doctor who specializes in MRI's says to not use treadmills as well. He says that the treadmill forces you to run and walk in a very unnatural position and can seriously aggravate knees and hips. He says he sees more injuries from people using treadmills than any other piece of equipment in the gym. I use them very occasionally, but I'd much rather run or walk outside.
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I think there's something to that.

I rarely use a treadmill (only when staying in a hotel), and I can't walk well on them (certainly not at the speeds I want to walk at, and can walk at outside).

From my experience, maybe just my body, I don't naturally keep a steady pace the way a treadmill forces one to: my average speed outside walking is faster than I can walk when I've used a treadmill, but that's sometimes slowing down a bit, and sometimes speeding up a bit.
 
All I can say is I've been walking on TMs for decades and I am not aware of any negative effects of any kind, and it's really good exercise. Personally, my philosophy is why endure the impact of running if you can get a good cardio workout without it.
 
I kind of agree with Kathryn, in that a TM might change your natural stride. My pace varies a lot too, when I walk outside. I just recently bought an incline trainer - like a treadmill, but the incline goes all the way up to 40% - and it's taken some getting used to. I make a point to vary the speed, incline, etc. a lot. I also have to watch my stride. I have a fairly long stride, and the belt on this thing is shorter than most treadmills. So, my point is, finally... :D ... I can see how a TM might cause problems for some people, depending on their stride and stuff. But so far, I haven't had any problems!
 
Writing to agree with Nancy...and, who am I kidding, also to show off my new avatar!!! :p What do you think, Nance???
 
If memory serves me I think a PT told me once TM's are not good b/c if you leave them at an incline w/o varying it then you're shortening your calf muscle.

But also, running inside on a track is not good for you especially always in the same direction, as tracks are slightly sloped up due to their curve so one foot is always landing slightly sooner then it normally would.
 
i have 2 major reasons why i use the treadmill. water so i dont faint and my balance is a little off so on the treadmill i have something to hang on to. also,there's no parks near by

laura
 
MommaPew said:
If memory serves me I think a PT told me once TM's are not good b/c if you leave them at an incline w/o varying it then you're shortening your calf muscle.

But also, running inside on a track is not good for you especially always in the same direction, as tracks are slightly sloped up due to their curve so one foot is always landing slightly sooner then it normally would.
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Shortening the calf muscle? I question this. In fact, due to the angle between stretched leg in full contact with the treadmill belt when leg is the back leg behind you at the end of the stride and the belt, I would think that actually the incline works the calves much better and gives them an added stretch. So, it is actually the opposite of what that PT stated.

Yes, running in the same direction around a track does cause problems. But, I think most people know that on both a track and a treadmill you get a much better workout, not to mention a more interesting one, if you vary the direction of running and vary the incline and speed on the treadmill.

If I left my treadmill on the same incline and speed I would most certainly die of boredom. The beauty of this piece of equipment, the most popular piece of cardio equipment in most gyms, is its versatility and the fact that it is available all year round and for mums with kids at home, you can workout and keep an eye on the kids without having to find a babysitter. Needing to get my workouts in while being in charge of kids was what started me on home based workouts to begin with. Very hard to look after kids and go running outside!

The article referred to on treadmill running was good: it causes less injury overall since its surface offers more protection to joints than pavement, but there is the need to make up for the lack of propioception challenge because the surface never changes. This is why my PT taught me a few exercises to challenge balance and exercises done on one leg at a time, and while they are not easy, they do help prevent injury.

Clare
 
I have to pipe in hear and just say that I am glad that I have mine! I have had several injuries in the past and used the TM to get back in the game.

My only suggestion to those that own one is to keep it in good shape. Maintenance is key to having it run correctly and smoothly.

That being said....Good luck departing this KB teacher! If you like her and are gaining strength....keep her just for that and ignore her opinions! ;)

Take Care All!
 


I swear, if we followed all the advice we hear about fitness, we would be in an empty room not moving or blinking. Of course, then the air pressure would be bad for your skin or something....
 
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