Winters in Michigan are very brutal on certain days, so I’ve made peace with my treadmill and have started using it daily. But with occasional escapes to the good ole outdoors.

Now here’s my dilemma...I’ve been watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ and on one of their episodes Julian said you can not hold onto the side rails of your treadmill. Been trying to break myself of this issue without any luck…

My question is: Does anyone have any creative idea’s on how I can break myself of this habit?

How important is not holding on to the side rails? Is anyone else having this problem as well, or am I very much alone in this issue?

I like to a little boxing with the arms or some dancing. That seems to help me

a running ‘trick’ is to pretend you are pulling your way on a rope as you run (like your going uphill)

It works for me!

Hi

I don’t know specifically about a treadmill but on my glider it took me months before I was comfortable not holding/touching the frame (I could never use the handles on it).

For me, it had to do with my sense of balance.  And of course moving your arms will give you a better work out because it will raise your heart rate.

You could try holding on to small, light weight (say, a half-pound or less) or stress-balls (the kind you squeeze to relieve stress).  That way, you *can’t* hold on to the side-bars, because you’re already holding on to something else!

Cheers,
Julie

I hadn’t really thought about this. Generally I wear the velcro-on wrist weights when I walk the treadmill, so I try to swing my arms to get a little extra workout. Bringing them up high, above chest level, really gets my heart rate up faster. When that gets boring, I alternate between an “uppercut” move (with fists lightly clenched) and cross-chest jabs. Occasionally, I also swing my arms further backwards with the weights on.

I usually don’t use the weights the whole time I’m on, especially if I go on to do 3 miles, with the middle on an incline. I do tend to hold on when I’m at the highest incline, at least until I find my adjusted rhythm and balance. And occasionally, especially as I’m cooling down, if a slower song comes on the iPod, I close my eyes, and in that case I do at least lightly have my hands or fingers on the front rail so I don’t fall.

Holding on not only keeps you from finding your own balance, but it can be pulling your body out of its proper alignment, I just learned by checking the web. Hmm, never realized that. I just thought of it as a heart-rate issue. In Jazzercise we learn quickly that the full arm movement is expected as part of the routine.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/271704/10_reasons_never_to_hold_onto_the_treadmill.html

-- Ann

You all are wonderful, THANK YOU for taking the time to respond with all of these great suggestions, and that web site article. Very much appreciated!

I shall try each, and everyone one of them, until I find the perfect solution..

I’ll second Ann’s suggestion of some weight on your arms/hands. I used to use heavy hands when I walked and it added to the whole experience. Just do whatever you are comfortable with...no rush, you’ll be “rail free” soon enough.

Malama Pono,
Fat Jeff

Thank you Jeff! But what are Heavy hands?  I’m dying of curiousity now! I really want to do things the correct way, taking things slowly and hoping your right Jeff about being ‘rail free’ soon. 

I tried walking the Treadmill today and pulling that rope that Tom suggested, did a few Boxing punches that Jenni suggested (hehehe; felt good and gave me attitude) and thing was going really well until the end of my 45 minute workout.  I looked down and had a “DUH” moment, not believing where my hands was, but there they was, ON THE DANG RAIL…

You all are Gems thanks again.

I just read that Article again and I’m spitting mad because all those months walking on that Treadmill wasn’t adding up to nothing, notta, zip. Thank you Ann for sharing that with me, more determined now to get this thing right BECAUSE I’M NEVER GIVING UP. 

(hides my soap box; curtsies)

Suzzy - 21 February 2008 07:50 PM

Thank you Jeff! But what are Heavy hands?  I’m dying of curiousity now!

heavy hands right here

Suzzy - 21 February 2008 08:00 PM

I just read that Article again and I’m spitting mad because all those months walking on that Treadmill wasn’t adding up to nothing, notta, zip. Thank you Ann for sharing that with me, more determined now to get this thing right BECAUSE I’M NEVER GIVING UP. 

(hides my soap box; curtsies)

Oh, Suzzy, don’t be so extreme! I certainly think your walking amounted to something. Heck, you were walking instead of sitting on the couch! The only thing is that you could get more out of it—and you will, you WILL! The folks on The Biggest Loser are in a competition, a race, so their rules are extreme. I think we “Other Losers” can be a little more patient with ourselves. You’re certainly better off having walked the treadmill. Now, knowing you could burn some more calories, get your heart rate up more, and engage your core/balance more by letting go, you’ll work on it like any other skill and add it to your repertoire.

I was at a coffee place, sitting outside sipping my cup, when I heard what sounded like a consultation between a personal trainer and a new client. I heard the one woman say to the other, “If you’re walking on a treadmill with zero incline, you’re just wasting your time.” I thought, huh, I’ve been walking on a treadmill with no incline! So, I gradually added incline, but I never doubted that I did good before then, just that I could push it harder and work more leg muscles, and exert more energy by tackling the inclines. Truth is, when I started walking on the treadmill, I don’t think I was even walking “right.” Gradually as my muscles toned and I got used to it, and worked through the inevitable shin splints and calf pain of a beginning exerciser, the heel pain and so forth, I realized I was landing completely differently with each step. On and off the treadmill. My legs and hips have always tended to turn out slightly, but they do less so now. I think part of that is a stronger core and better natural balance, and part of it is working the muscles in my lower body, and part of it’s just a lot of time spent walking.

Hi Suzzy,

I’m with Kilroyscarnival on this one: “nothing” is a very strong word.  In terms of fitness, doing something is generally better than doing nothing.  You’ve gotten into the habit of walking, you’ve burned calories, and you’ve asked people how you can improve.  That’s a lot of “something”!

All you need to do now is work to make it even better!  Your previous work is just the first step in the right direction.  (Pun decidedly intended.)

Cheers,
Julie

Julie - 22 February 2008 08:39 AM

Hi Suzzy,
Your previous work is just the first step in the right direction.  (Pun decidedly intended.)

Puns burn six more calories. Did you know that? It’s a fact I just made up.

—Ann

Suzzy,

“Nothing” is exactly what I’ve been doing for years on my treadmill.  I especially need to “lay” my hand on the TM for
balance as I do have a balance problem and a depth perception problem and I can’t wear glasses on the TM. Just doesn’t work for me.

I’ve done this for 7 years and have been in decent shape. When I injured my calf and heel, I was told by both a foot doctor and an ortho doctor that I was to use NO levels on the treadmill. Only a flat surface for months. Being in south Florida, that is not a problem for me.

But like you, I’ll try to use the TM without hands more often. You are not wasting your time at all.
Josie

HI Suzzy,
I have a very expensive treadmill,It is so fuuny,I wanted a decent treadmill as soon as i became a premium member!
The MTM program became my most pleasurable,enriching,enlightening focus on achieving my goals! My inner self said,
THIS is going to work for me!!SO one day i picked up the classified, Free TREADMILL! Long story short, I called the AD
and when I picked it up,I was overjoyed!!! I never dreamed of a Professional Treadmill!! My friend who is a lawyer,was shocked that i attracted it to me!
I took the left handle off of it,so that it would fit in the room! Now,after reading results from other premium members, I am going to remove the opposite bar as well! (maybe you could try removing one,see how it works out(pun)!!
Thank you Suzzy for your helping me with this issue! IM gonns stick to the hand weights,as they are aids in momentum and movement!!!

Best Wishes,
Charlene