Why you should invest in a treadmill
Treadmills are a great way to improve your general health, build muscle, tone your legs, and relieve stress. People all over the world are finally getting active through the use of a treadmill. But maybe you're not convinced. Maybe you're not so sure you want to buy a treadmill yet. Well, here are some reasons why you should invest in a treadmill.
If you love to run, but find that you run less in the winter because of cold, windy, snowy, icy, or rainy weather, you should think about investing in a treadmill. True, many runners like to take an occasional break from training, particularly through the holiday season. A few weeks to let your body rest is a great idea. Your body can use a short rest, but if you wait for too long, you'll lose the cardiovascular fitness that you've worked so hard to achieve. This doesn't mean you need to run on a treadmill every day throughout the entire winter, but even a tough runner will find days when it's not very safe to venture outside against the weather.
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It's a good idea to run indoors on a treadmill when:
- There is ice on the roads, sidewalks and trails. Running on ice is never a good idea, one fall and you could be out of commission with a pulled muscle or a broken bone for many weeks.
- There is a blizzard is raging. Below zero temperatures, fifty mile-an-hour winds and drifting snow are hardly suitable even for a polar bear, much less a slim and trim runner!
- There is an extremely cold temperature or wind chill below -30°. Although you can stay relatively warm with several layers of clothing, you run the risk of severe frostbite on the skin on your face. You can protect your skin with a ski mask and/or a layer of petroleum jelly, but keep in mind that your movements will be restricted because of all the clothing. Under extreme wind chill conditions, a treadmill can be your best buddy!
- There is a possibility of flash floods. If it's raining hard enough that you could be in danger of getting swept away, don't tempt fate. Just run indoors.
- There is a rain storm and temperature below 40°. In this situation, hypothermia is a possibility because you get both cold and wet.
Of course, there may be some of you out there who hate the thought of running outdoors as soon as it's no longer a balmy 60 degrees. Treadmills may be the optimal choice for you. But just remember not to get too comfortable running inside. Running on the smooth belt of a treadmill, with no wind in your face is much different than running on the road, track or a trail. Even if you would prefer to run indoors this winter, try to get outside at least once a week.
Treadmills are also great if you want to measure your vitals and vary your programs. True, when running outdoors you may be able to find varying landscapes that will offer challenges of their own (unless, of course, you live somewhere flat like Kansas). But on a treadmill you can vary your incline and difficulty every few minutes or few miles. You could do steady jog at 10% elevation for 1 mile, then 4% elevation for 3 miles, then sprint at 8% elevation for .5 miles, etc. You can also choose from a wide variety of running "routines" that will help build strength or endurance, depending on what you'd like to focus on that day. Or you can do a mixture of both.
Basically, a treadmill is a great idea for anyone who likes to run, wants to stay fit, and enjoys running in the convenience of your own home.
