Overall health & wellbeing is down to indulging in the right lifestyle habits. One such and very important one is incorporating body exercises and fitness routines at large. This is particularly vital for the following reasons:

• Attaining or Maintaining a Healthy Weight
• Stress Reduction
• Increased Energy Levels
• Mood Enhancement
• Significant Reduction of the Risk of Developing Certain Health Complications
• Improved Cardiovascular Health

All of the above-listed and several others point to the necessity of body exercises and fitness routines. For more on this subject, you can visit: https://medlineplus.gov/.

Against this backdrop, investment in equipment that helps with the incorporation of body exercises and fitness routines is a welcome development. Treadmills tick some of the boxes in this regard. A few cardiovascular exercises that can be performed using this equipment include:

• Incline Walking/Running
• Walking & Power Walking
• Side Shuffles & Walking Lunges
• Backward Walking or Backward Running
• Interval Training

However, treadmills need to be safely used to avoid injuries and achieve fitness objectives. Read on as this article sheds more light on this subject.

How to Use Treadmills Safely and Effectively at Home

When it comes to safely using treadmills, the stakes are higher when used at home compared to gyms. This is clearly because the gym is a more controlled environment with the likelihood of professionals being available to ensure the safety of users.

However, this is not always a guarantee at home, which is why extra caution is necessary. Well, this starts with being well-informed on what should and should not be done with this equipment. Having established this, some proven tips for safely and properly using treadmills at home are discussed below:

Proper Setup

There are various treadmill brands and products in the market for home use. Furthermore, they all have manufacturer’s instructions regarding setup.

These instructions should be read and followed to the letter. This is a lot better than banking on assumptions. It is also a good idea to have this equipment professionally installed. Regardless of who ends up setting it up, some of the rules to be adhered to include the following:

Installation on Stable Surface

Placement on uneven surfaces is a bad idea because it could lead to shifting and/or wobbling when used. This can damage the equipment at the very least. The uneven surface and constant shifting and/or wobbling can also cause injuries.

Be Mindful of Electrical Connections

Most treadmills run on electricity. So, it is understandable that they need to be electrically connected. However, the connection should be properly and cautiously done. This is important for avoiding falls and electrical hazards.

Well-Ventilated Environment

Treadmill overheating is a huge possibility in poorly ventilated areas. Some of the adverse effects that can be set in as a result include:

• Belt Malfunction
• Motor Damage
• Burn Injuries
• Fire Risk
• Performance Issues

By the way, using a treadmill in a well-ventilated environment directly benefits the user. This is because of the convenience.

Strategic Positioning

There is a need for ample space behind and on the two sides of the equipment. This is for safety reasons. About 6 feet is ideal enough for the space behind, while 2 feet for both sides are fine.

Placement close to a wall or even a sturdy railing is also a great idea for extra support. This is especially true if certain age groups are using the equipment.

Proper Footwear & Attire

Of course, using top-quality treadmills with ample safety features is great for the safety of users. However, injuries and accidents involving treadmills may still be caused by other things. Use of improper footwear and/or attire is one such.

For example, lack of traction or the right amount of it can cause slips and ultimately hard knocks. So, it is important to use the right footwear.

You should also avoid wearing loose clothing when using this equipment. The same goes for things like scarves, long jewelry, loose shoelaces, and the like. This is to avoid loose materials being caught and dragged repeatedly by the equipment’s motor.

Proper Use of Handrails

The handrails are part of treadmills for a reason and an important one at that. They ensure that users are well-balanced during use.

As a result, you should start by using them and then leave them once you get a good balance. The same goes for when changing settings. By the way, it is better to start with lower speeds before transitioning to anything faster, if required. Furthermore, the handrails should be kept clean and dry so that proper grips can be maintained and accidents avoided.

Start & Stop Correctly

You should check that everything is intact before you start the equipment. For example, the belt is supposed to be straddled before you start.

It is also better to start slowly, as mentioned above. Something around 1 – 2 mph, which falls into the category of walking pace, would do. This range is good enough for warm-up sessions and gaining easy balance before transitioning into faster paces.

Even the increase in pace should happen gradually and not abruptly. You would be giving your body enough time to adjust to the new physical demands when you do this.

The same rule also applies when slowing down. It has to be gradual, which is why jumping off is a terrible idea.

Be Attentive

Treadmills are especially great for various intensities of cardiovascular exercises that can be performed using them. However, keen attention is of the essence when using them. You cannot afford to be distracted as loss of focus can lead to injuries and accidents.

For example, texting and reading can cause users to drift to the side unknowingly and fall off. As a result, it is not ideal.

You also need to be attentive to the state of the equipment. For example, the positioning and form of the belt should be monitored.

Stay Hydrated & Take Breaks

Your use of the treadmill is for health advancement reasons. It could be for healthy weight management and/or enhanced energy, for instance. As a result, it should not become a tool that puts you in harm’s way, which is why staying hydrated and taking breaks when required is important.

Regarding the need to stay hydrated, it is strongly recommended that you purchase and use treadmills that have a designated spot that holds water bottles. This allows you to take sips whenever required.

You should also learn to put a stop to your exercise under certain conditions. A prime example is when you experience pain, feel dizzy, or your heart rate and/or breathing are out of the ordinary.

Children & Pet Safety

Children and pets should be kept away from treadmills, especially when it is being used. Thankfully, some of these treadmills come with safety keys that should be safely stored when not in use. Even at that, kids and pets playing and roaming around with this equipment should not be allowed for safety reasons.

On a Final Note

Safe use of treadmills starts with using the right kind of treadmill, which implies two things. The first is using one with all the required safety features and in the right condition. These are important, which is why the right purchase, proper maintenance, and repair of this equipment is important. As equally pointed out, other safety tips discussed here should be taken seriously.

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