Treadmills - good or bad?

Despite the fact that treadmills are predominantly manufactured to be used for err…. running, they seen to be a bone of contention amongst the running community.

On the one hand you have runners who brand them as a useless invention and fail to comprehend why on earth you would chose to run on a conveyor belt in a musty gym over a dirt track and fresh air; yet on the other hand, some runners swear by them and find treadmill training easier on the joints, more functional and less weather dependent than running outside.

So what’s fitFAQS take on treadmill training?

Well, the “pro” treadmill camp have a very good point in regards to reducing stress on the joints. The conveyor helps to absorb impact, significantly reducing the amount of shock on your joints. Although your limbs will eventually learn to adapt to the various stresses that road running presents, a treadmill is a fantastic way not only to begin training but to use in conjunction with race preparations, be it a 10km, half marathon or full marathon.

Another plus about treadmills is that they are also a fantastic way to train in the dark winter months. Many women feel unsafe running alone at night so rather than avoiding a run in the evening, a treadmill provides the perfect opportunity to ease the burden on your joints, shelter from wet and windy weather and run in a safe environment.

However.

Far too man runners rely soley on the treadmill for their training which always ends in tears. The bouncy runway of a treadmill is not great preparation for an endurance road race as the legs and joints need to be adpated to the hard running surface of the road. Runners who spend weeks on the treadmill and then take to the roads and run similar distances are significantly increasing their chances of picking up a niggle or two.

All in all, for those runners preparing for an endurance race, i’d say treadmills are great as an accessory to running outside but should never be relied upon as a substitute. As for all other runners who run for fun and weight management, if treadmills float your boat – why not use one?