The treadmill saves runners and walkers from inclement weather and dangerous conditions. It helps athletes execute workouts at a precise speed or incline without interference from traffic or obstacles.
Running in Place
On a treadmill, the belt moves under you while you run or walk in place. This means that rather than your legs propelling your forward as they do on the road, your only job is to pick up and reposition your leg on the belt, making treadmill running easier.
Wind Resistance
The faster you run over land, the more wind resistance you must overcome. This makes road running about 10 percent harder than treadmill running. To compensate for lack of wind resistance, increase the treadmill incline by 0.5 to 1 percent.
Biomechanical Adaptations
Because a treadmill changes your stride, physiological adaptations gained on a treadmill may not translate to better road running.
Treadmill Uses for Serious Runners
The treadmill is a good tool for hill workouts, especially for those who live in flat places. The treadmill also helps sprinters train at higher maximum speeds than they could on the track.
Walkers
The treadmill modifies walking stride just like it does running gaits. Make sure that you are walking as naturally as possible and don’t hang onto the handrails to keep up with the belt.
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