Utilizing a treadmill is a wonderful way to get in shape. Not only is it convenient, user friendly, and easily accessible, it can give you the perfect outlet to be able to incorporate physical activity at your leisure. With the current guidelines aiming for people to get 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise each week (broken down into 30-minute segments, 5 days a week), the treadmill seems like the perfect option to get all your fitness minutes logged. But, is it something that you want to use every day? Are there risks involved with using this fitness machine day in and day out? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using the treadmill on a consistent basis, and you can determine what is best for you and your fitness goals!
Treadmill Every Day Pros
For starters, a treadmill is a fabulous option for cardiovascular health. Granted, being outside in the sun is just as good (if not better), but if the weather isn’t ideal or the conditions aren’t right for strolling through your neighborhood, then the treadmill is the next best option! Another pro of the treadmill is the actual machine itself; the belt can provide cushioning as you walk or run, which can be easier on your joints than if you were outside on the pavement. This can be helpful, especially if you’re recovering from an injury or slowly building up your endurance or confidence on the treadmill.
Using a treadmill is also convenient – if you’re in a busy city, getting your workouts in at nighttime, or would prefer to workout in air conditioning, then the treadmill is the perfect piece of fitness equipment!
Treadmill Every Day Cons
As stated earlier, it’s good to get outside in the sun and soak up some Vitamin D – something that doesn’t happen when you’re inside on a treadmill. Sometimes it’s nice to breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the seasons, and utilizing a treadmill for your workouts can take away from outside time.
Using a treadmill every day can also cause some overuse injuries, even with a belt that provides adequate cushioning. This is because regardless if you are walking or running, there will be pressure on your joints, which can cause pain in the lower body over time if you are working out consistently on the treadmill. A treadmill also doesn’t allow you to utilize certain muscle groups as much (such as your glutes and hamstrings) because you aren’t physically propelling yourself forward – you’re only moving your feet to keep up with the speed of the belt. This in turn can cause muscular imbalances and asymmetries, and possibly leading to injury.
Everyday Use Of A Treadmill
In essence, you can use your treadmill every day – after all, if you’re aiming to get in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, this machine can definitely be useful. With that being said, you would be using the same muscles day in and day out in order to walk or run….and these same muscles need recovery time, just like any other muscle group. Overtraining can be easy to do, and boredom can also set in after using the treadmill consistently. As mentioned above, being on a treadmill every day can lead to muscular imbalances, so hopping off the belt (and even taking your workout outdoors) can help battle these asymmetries.
In the long run, if you don’t feel burnt out or like you’re headed for injury, then using the treadmill every day might work just fine for you. However, utilizing other fitness machines (such as ellipticals, rowers, and stair climbers) can help develop a more well-rounded fitness program, and incorporating resistance training and flexibility work can also be beneficial. Not only will these additions to your workout routine help you improve your overall health, but will also help you prevent injury and boredom as you continue on the path to a healthy lifestyle!