I hate to say it, but it is time to let your treadmill go. Not forever, but for awhile because it is time for you take on new obstacles and new adventures with different cardio workouts. In my opinion the treadmill is an excuse to keep from having to push yourself, you set the time, the incline and the pace you want to go and you have no goals, because there is no finish line. Don’t get me wrong, it comes handy for cool-downs and warm-up exercises, but it becomes a go to for people who are afraid to explore other options. Not saying the elliptical or arc trainer are any better necessarily, but they are because they force you to use your arms, force you to go at a faster pace because going at a slow and steady walk will not get you anywhere on either one of those machines – in my opinion. In fact I used to make the treadmill my go to cardio workout as well, but I noticed something, I noticed that I would tell myself to run 1 mile with no incline and at 6 speed and what would happen? I would either stop before making it to my goal or I would decide “eh half a mile”, why? because I had no motivation to continue that mile most days, I had the control over how fast I wanted to go, how long, and the amount of time and if I decided I didn’t want to follow through, I could choose to walk instead and get a “basic” exercise done.
This isn’t saying, all of you have the same problems as I did, hell I see people going to town on the treadmill every few weeks, but most people use it as a walking machine and don’t use their arms and go at a very slow pace, a pace that isn’t going to do much if they plan on losing weight. However, some people can and should make use of the treadmill depending on their fitness level and depending on their circumstances, but some people know better and run to the treadmill to keep from doing any hardy work because they can negotiate whether they want to run or walk that day. Why use a machine to limit your capabilities, when you are capable of doing so much more. I will commend the ones who will get on the treadmill and use it wisely in order to maintain or reach goals, but the ones using it to avoid other exercises, we need to get you out of your shell. The world offers many ways to get in shape utilizing cardio, and the majority of people have chosen the treadmill. After learning why some people I know use the treadmill, I gathered these three main reasons:
- Easy to use
- I feel comfortable on the treadmill
- I want to lose weight – cardio
- Have you plateaued?
- Are you bored?
- What are your goals?
Be the best version of you 
So true, so true ! 🙂 For me, the treadmill is an easy way out – sort of thing.
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You are not alone, I was the same way when I began my fitness journey, it was my easy way out of having to push myself any further. I limited myself on the treadmill and didn’t even realize it until I stepped outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes we don’t think we are limiting our capabilities until we are put in a different situation and find differently. Happens all the time.
Shay-lon
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So I am hoping to start some outdoor training for reasons like the treadmill & elliptical. The treadmill is fits the analogy of spinning wheels and going no where. Technically it is almost the definition of insanity, imagine going on a journey and stay in the same spot. Anyhow my issue is treadmills should a form of training to run. When we have to opportunity or make the opportunity we run(on a track, trail, field, court, street, or grass). Sadly most people only run on the treadmill hence a cycle back to no where.
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Yes! exactly! I agree, “spinning wheels going nowhere”, perfectly said. I feel bored on the treadmill, even when I overload sometimes, although that is mainly because I am not focused on a goal or reaching a “finish line”, I am focused on “when can I finally stop running and/or walking” and then end up stopping before reaching the specified goal.
Of course, I don’t use the treadmill much anymore except for some purposes, but I don’t make it a HUGE part of my workout regimen anymore, haven’t in quite sometime.
I think the use of an outdoor training will be a good idea Russell, especially before winter comes our way.
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I agree to a point. I have found that it helps to build mental toughness because it is soooooooooo boring. And while I use an elliptical fairly frequently, I notice a difference in my running if I use it a lot. It also helps me to keep a steady pace which is something that I struggle with. I do however think that it should not be the only cardio equipment. On a side note, my Boxer loves the treadmill. She’ll get on and look at me like “this thing isn’t going to turn itself on”.
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Yes, good point about keeping pace. As a track athlete, I had issues keeping my pace as well. The treadmill does do a good job with helping and I never gave the thought to the “mental toughness” because of it being so boring! LOL. That actually made me laugh, but it could be true.
I have had many people agree to disagree thus far, more people agreeing but I didn’t care for the “right or wrong” but more of the “why” and learn how other people utilize the treadmill and how often. This was good feedback, I knew I could count on you on this one.
Aww, that is cute, I love dogs, she needs to be on youtube, she could go viral using the treadmill LOL
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Thank you so much! The whole running thing has been a lot of trial and error for me. I think it’s good to open up a dialogue as opposed to blindly following what someone says. I’m a big believer in mixing up workouts and if it’s not safe to run outside, I’d rather get in a gym workout than skip it entirely. Now the stationary bike on the other hand…ugh. But that’s just me 😉
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Yes! exactly. I do the same thing, I open up dialogue vs following what someone tells me to do. The point of this blog wasn’t to discourage people from using the treadmill but for them to figure out if the treadmill is helping them meet their goals or needs. Just because I am not a fan of the treadmill, doesn’t mean I don’t allow my clients to use it. That takes away from me being a good trainer and being able to be versatile. While I do feel as though the treadmill is a safe zone for people at gyms at times, I do believe it serves benefits, but the benefits cannot be serves when one is not correctly using the machine and does not have the knowledge in knowing how to use it in order to get results. I try to not slam any exercise, unless it is foolish, and why I do share my opinion, I make sure people know it is my opinion and my view but it doesn’t mean my opinion is right. I think as long as someone knows how to properly train on a treadmill, it has been useful, especially since it is low impact cardio but like you and I both agreed on – it shouldn’t be the only form of cardio exercise.
I am HUGE believer in mixing up exercises as well, variety can be good. Haha, hey, I will know that when I start talking about the stationary bike, you will be there to share your thoughts 🙂
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Hahaha didn’t take too long to see what I’m all about did it? I really enjoy that your posts aren’t “do this and only this and I’m the only one who knows what to do”. Keep up the good work!
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Haha, thank you! I don’t like post where people do that, because honestly there is always more than one way to do something and get the job done.
Yes, now I know I can’t manipulate your brain, damn it. LOL.
I have come across many fitness/health blogs where they pretty much tell you what to do, and lets be honest, no one likes to be told what to do. That is how come so many people don’t listen to fitness/health specialist or health professionals, because they focus too much on telling someone what to do, whereas, I go about things particularly different, in order to get the same point across. 😀
Shay-lon
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Just this weekend I ran on my treadmill for the first time in a very long time. I have been so used to running outside or doing more intense cardio workouts. After a half mile, I had to get off. It is not fun, it is not satisfying and I hope I never fall back into a treadmill routine. Great post.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and share feedback.
I would never discourage the treadmill from clients because I am not a fan of it, and I know it serves a great deal of people, especially those who are beginners, who have lower body issues, since it is low impact compared to pavement and trails, and it even helps those keep their pace when running ( I just learned this one) and if someone utilizes it properly, it can be a good workout for someone.
In my opinion, it doesn’t always allow someone to “blossom” or to push themselves .. like it pretty much is all mental when using the treadmill, which is fine but if someone doesn’t have the mental toughness to push themselves more on the treadmill, then it might not do them any good. Nonetheless, I am not a fan of the treadmill either 😛
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