Treadmill Dreadmill?

Treadmill.  Alright, be honest how many of you just cringed?  I feel like half my audience maybe just hit the ‘back button’ on their browser and is going to wait till the next blog entry is published.  Every time I go online I seem to find more and more people who talk about how much running they don’t do or how much they hate the treadmill and I want to try and clear up some of this stigma around the “dreadmill”. For starters, if running isn’t for you, don’t do it.  Simple as that, nowhere is it written that you need to go running x number of times per week.  There are plenty of alternatives to running and as long as cardio is being incorporated into the workout regiment, I’m happy.   I just don’t think that people should let others opinions sway them from the treadmill.  Here’s an example; I personally dislike kipping pull-ups, I just don’t agree with the movement and think that regular pull-ups are a much better alternative.  But its not fair for me to compare these two different exercises and if there are people who are seeing great results using kipping pull-ups, then who am I to say that they aren’t as effective just because I don’t like them? Treadmills offer many unique advantages for runners.  Not only can they be used in any weather, they are entirely adjustable and offer a much more consistent running environment to specialize your training.  Treadmills offer real-time statistics such as the percent incline, speed, average pace, and usually heart rate information that can’t be obtained as easily on the road.  For instance, often it can be hard to find a mile long hill will x percent grade, but with the treadmill I can input exactly what percent incline I wish to use and run as long as I want at that incline.   In addition to the incline adjustment, the adjustable consistent speed can be used to increase your personal average pace.  Let’s say I’m usually running a 7:43 pace, on the treadmill I can input a faster pace such as 7:35 and then adapt to the increased pace. Treadmills are a fairly easy to use machine and when used correctly provide an exceptional tool to runners for their training needs.  Don’t be afraid of the treadmill and don’t let people tell you that it is a waste of a machine.  Just because some people don’t like the treadmill doesn’t mean it’s not for everyone.  Try it out; you may be surprise at how effective the treadmill can be.