The first mistake is getting onto a treadmill while the belt is moving at full speed. You should begin by standing with one foot on each side of the belt.
Start the treadmill at a slow pace and then get on. You should increase the speed smoothly after feeling comfortable at the slower pace.
Another common mistake that you see at gyms a lot is people holding onto and leaning on the hand rails. You may think it necessary for stability, but if you are going at a pace that you can actually keep up with you shouldn't have a problem.
When you walk or run normally, you typically aren't holding or leaning on something for support, so you shouldn't on a treadmill either. Holding onto the handrails doesn't allow you to move naturally with arm motion, or to achieve a good stride.
Holding on to the rails will also make you have bad walking posture. You will get a better workout at a slower pace without holding on than you would at a faster pace holding on.
If you have a condition that requires holding onto the handrails, such as low vision, balance problems, etc. then you should continue to use the handrails. Consult with a trainer or physical therapist for advice on how to achieve good walking posture even if you need to use the handrails.
The third mistake is tired directly to the previous problem. Don't have bad posture while on exercise machines.
Treadmill entertainment like television, reading, or games can contribute to bad posture habits. If you are hunching your shoulders and looking down to read a magazine or watch video on the treadmill console, you are reinforcing very bad walking posture habits.
The proper walking position is with the head up and eyes forward. If entertainment helps you stay motivated to exercise then position it in such a way that it does not impair your abilities to maintain good posture on the machine.
Bad posture can also lead to lower back, neck and shoulder pain. It also prevents you from taking full, complete breaths.
Habits you have while walking will influence your posture sitting down as well. If you sit at a desk all day it is easy to slouch you back while walking, but if you practice good posture you may feel more relief at work too.
Every few minutes throughout your workout, give your shoulders a backwards roll. This will check to make sure that you aren't hunching them.
Another common mistake with treadmill users is leaning forward. Proper walking posture is upright, so make sure your back is straight and your feet are underneath your hips.
Over striding is a habit many have had all their lives because they never learned the proper walking strides. When you over stride your front heel is hitting the ground far in front of your body.
Many of people do this in an attempt to walk faster, but a good, fast walking stride is just the opposite. Your front heel should strike close to your body while your back foot remains on the ground longer to give a powerful push-off.
This push off in back is what will give your walking more speed and power, and will work out your muscles better to burn calories. Getting this right may require you to take shorter steps at first, but it will improve your posture and balance on the treadmill.
Soon you will be walking faster and easier. Remember that the power is in the back foot, and lengthen your stride in back and not in front.
The right way to take a walking step is to strike with the heel in front but the rest of the forward foot slightly off the ground, then rolling through the step from heel to toe. This heel strike-roll through-push off with the toe is only possible if your shoes are flexible.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor has worked in the exercise and health industry for 31 years. When searching for a good deal on exercise equipment he suggests getting someone knowledgeable to give you some treadmill comparisons, and tell you their qualities.
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