Common Mistakes to Avoid On the Treadmill and Elliptical

Treadmills and ellipticals are the most commonly seen machines for basic cardio workouts in any gym. Treadmill is the perfect device to allow you to walk or run safely while staying in the same place. While elliptical trainers are the exercise machines that helps you to stimulate actions like stair climbing, walking, and running without exerting pressure on your joints. For both of these machines you can set your own preferred speed and thereby decide the intensity of workout. Before committing to buying the best treadmill and elliptical machines, you need to know their strengths and weaknesses to avoid injury and to get the best workout.

Common Mistakes You Make on Treadmills – Running on a treadmill is extremely beneficial; provided you know the correct ways to use them effectively. With the following fitness tips you will be able to avoid undesirable injuries.

1. No warm up or cool down session – Jumping up on a treadmill and starting to run can sound courageous but just like outdoor running sessions it is extremely important to warm-up before getting into the challenging portion of your routine. One of the most common issues after stepping off a treadmill is dizziness. This is due to not slowing your pace before getting off the machine. Stopping suddenly can make you feel light headed.
2. Improper running postures – If you are a beginner, it’s quite obvious to feel nervous about falling off the treadmill while running and you tend to change your running style. This is wrong! Run with your normal stride.  Slow your speed and run with proper form.  Head up, chest up, even strides, and light feet.
3. Don’t hold the handrails – This is a very common mistake seen while running on treadmills. Often people run holding the treadmill’s side rails for added support. This will get you a haunched back due to improper posture. The exercise will result in aches at the shoulders, neck, and back.
4. 

Usual Mistakes to be avoided while using elliptical trainers – Even if you are on a Proform elliptical, you ought to be careful and avoid the mistakes listed here to get maximum results.

1. Enter the information properly – The majority of the elliptical machines are calibrated for a person weighing 150 pounds; however if you can personalize your statistics properly the calorie count will also be more accurate.  Jumping on the machine and pushing the “quick start” option will lead to the wrong statistics.
2. Improper postures – The wrong postures while exercising can be dangerous and also invite other troubles. Stand up straight, it helps and lengthen your abs so that your core area gets the maximum workout.  This will help to tone your upper body and your stomach as you exercise.
3. Knowing machine sounds – Many people workout on an elliptical without understanding the machine at all. When your elliptical is making a purring sound it indicates that you are doing the exercises too fast without giving any resistance. Keep a moderate and steady pace.

These are few mistakes that can be easily avoided by getting the right knowledge.  Use these fitness tips to get the most out of your exercise routine, and avoid injuries.

Guest Writer,

Sam