Terrified of the treadmill

judgefudge

This is going to sound stupid but I'm terrified of running on a treadmill. I can walk/power walk on them no bother but the very idea of running on it is awful, I can just see myself fall and break a leg.

Any ideas how to work myself up to try and run, or tips on how to do it. Sounds ridiculous I know

RidleyRider

Maybe just up the speed to like a slow jog then a moderate run/fast jog and then run? But don't do it too fast? Get comfortable at the increased pace.

OU812

It's the cross trainer for me. I look like a baby giraffe on it, but without the poise.

Legs. Arms. Everywhere.

Can only do three minutes on it. It hates me.

The threadmill is great for burning calories though.

judgefudge

Its at that speed, the line between a very fast walk and a slow jog. Thats where I freak out. Its probably more of a mental thing than anything but I can't seem to get past it

Slydice

judgefudge wrote: »

Its at that speed, the line between a very fast walk and a slow jog. Thats where I freak out. Its probably more of a mental thing than anything but I can't seem to get past it

Start the jogging motion at the fast walk speed for a while then. Maybe even slower. People can jog on the spot so jogging really slow makes sense.

SeaDaily

judgefudge wrote: »

Its at that speed, the line between a very fast walk and a slow jog. Thats where I freak out. Its probably more of a mental thing than anything but I can't seem to get past it

Maybe just dont use the treadmill and go for a proper run outdoors instead?

LaHaine

Run outside. Fresh air, can run wherever you like and its not brain numbingly boring. The treadmill is a torture device.

kevpants

We had a treadmill in the house. My wife used it regularly but one day she was on it and I wasn't home. She stood either side of the moving belt to answer a text then got back onto it not realising it was going so fast. Her feet were thrown out from under her and she was thrown back against the wall behind the treadmill, she hit it quite hard and hurt her shoulder. The position she was in meant she was sandwiched between the wall and the still rotating belt which was rubbing against the skin on her back, burning it. The injured shoulder meant she couldn't lift herself up so she had to roll out while the belt excruciatingly sanded against her back.

For this reason I'd advise no one to use a treadmill alone. To this day I think had I been there and been quick enough to react, I may have been able to get the camera in time to record it all.

judgefudge

LaHaine wrote: »

Run outside. Fresh air, can run wherever you like and its not brain numbingly boring. The treadmill is a torture device.

I get that, and I do run outside but I've joined a gym and I'd like to do some running while I'm there

Alf Veedersane

Use the gym for doing other cardio and weights. Use the outdoors for running. Use the rowing machine for cardio in the gym. It's better all round. But if you want to run, do it outdoors. Running on a treadmill is a) boring as hell and b) too easy to end prematurely.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

My advise would to run outside and not use the threadmil. It does more harm than good.

mcballer

I think the weather yesterday gives an indication of where the treadmill may have a place in winter. But to actually answer you post op....I'm laughing reading it cause I was the exact same. Had a mental block about how could move fron very from fast walk to jog / run on one. But one day in gym with my sister she was like just 'do it'!! So like people above said just increase speed a liitle to a really slow jog. That is very comfortable. Once you just do thst once then your laughing. Cause you are over the fear of moving to a jog somehow ending in a catastrophic even. Then you can just up the speed and go for it. I'd say its defo just a mental thing like with me. Haa the sense of achievement haa my sister was all proud like I was a baby taking first steps haa
Go for it!!!

kerry4sam

Have your spoken with the personnel at your local gym about this? Maybe go in when it is quiet and have them aware of this and assist you with building up your confidence; reducing your fear and building up the speed on the treadmill?

I used to despise some of the weight machines in mine; but went in when quiet and they showed me how to properly use all of them confidently. Cannot wait to get back in there and start building up my physical strength again.

Their are wonderful helpful personnel working in the gyms; perhaps if they were aware, then they could assist you too

You can always jog/run outdoors, but I think it important to also gain control over a fear also if possible.

Hope that helps in some way,
kerry4sam

seamus

To be fair, there is that weird spot between the fast walk and slow jog that's a bit off-putting.

As others said, when you get up to a faster walking pace which is fast but still doable, keep the speed as is, but change into a slow jog. A really slow jog, basically bouncing up and down on the spot. Then you can increase the speed of the treadmill and it'll feel more natural to change to running.

Alternatively get an unpowered treadmill and you don't have this problem. And you get a better workout.

Alf Veedersane

If none of the above advice helps, have a laugh at these

ling-zing

judgefudge

ling-zing wrote: »

Jaysus. I'm a while off that I think...