Mistakes to avoid when using the treadmill for the first time

It can be very exciting to have your first treadmill in your home. You can walk or run at the appropriate speed at any time of the day or night. You won’t have to worry about the weather or speeding vehicles. You get a great workout anytime you want without going to the gym or going for a walk or run.

Although exercising on a treadmill is generally considered safe, especially if your speed is set to walking, if this is your first time using this exercise machine, you still need to know how to use it correctly. This involves being aware of common treadmill training mistakes that can cause you to injure yourself or damage your equipment.

Here are the top mistakes to avoid when exercising on a treadmill for the first time:

Not dressing appropriately for exercise. When running on a treadmill and you have long hair, make sure to tie it back. If you fall off the equipment, in addition to hurting yourself from the fall, you will feel more pain if your braids get caught in a moving part. To protect your feet and simply be better protected when exercising on the treadmill, wear walking or running shoes with non-slip soles and never walk or run on the machine barefoot or with only socks on.

Forgetting to set up and use the security features of the machine. Most motorized and hybrid treadmills have an emergency power off switch or button or a safety key attached to a cable that automatically shuts off the treadmill if it falls or jumps quickly. If you have a safety key or clip, always attach it to your clothing when you start your workout. If your equipment also has other security features, such as codes, users must enter, use, or set them according to the instructions in the machine’s manual.

Increase the speed or incline of the machine too much. Fitness experts say there are some treadmills out there that will get you up to breakneck speeds fast. When the acceleration is too fast, it could throw you off balance and even throw you off the treadmill. As such, only increase the speed of the machine and the incline gradually, one increment at a time and avoid doing either before your body adjusts to the increases.

Getting on and off the machine incorrectly. Finally, getting on and off the treadmill incorrectly can cause injury. The correct way to get on this machine is to straddle the treadmill with one foot on the safety rail on each side. Get on the equipment when the treadmill moves slowly. Also, when getting on, hold on to the handrails until the treadmill reaches its full speed, letting go when you feel stable. To safely exit the machine, if it is tilted, reattach the flat belt first. Then walk for a few minutes at a slower speed to cool down and help prevent dizziness when you get off. Hold on to the handrails as you get off until the treadmill comes to a complete stop.