Treadmill form?

[Therealsparky304]

What up guys? I have this problem with getting pain in the back and front of the lower part of my legs when I hit the treadmill! Im pretty poor and cant buy a treadmill neither do I have room for it. So I mostly just jogg outdoors, cold or hot weather. I also do the cardio workouts in my P-90_X program with no pain! I work at a mental hospital doing security and they recently put us a cardio room in for our breaks! I can jogg for days without any pain, but wow for some reason this treadmill kills me? Someone said it was most likely my form! Any ideas?????? What really sucks is the pain gets so bad it takes everything I have mentaly to talk myself into finishing the 20 min Cardio work that is preset on it!

[Kim]

If you have no problems jogging outside I would think it's your form on the mill that's the culprit.
I know I have a more rigid foot on the mill because I am worried about over-running the platform.
This used to cause shin splints and a stiff achilles tendon (front and back of leg pain)

Take a look at what incline the mill is set to as well. Are you running flat or uphill?

I always say if it hurts DON'T DO IT. You don't want to injure yourself so badly that you can't even run outside. Esp with summer on the way.
Your body is telling you "I hate the treadmill" with pain.
If you can't fix that pain, I would stick to the pavement.
Hope this babble helped.
good luck

[Kim]

found this for you on-line:

Maintaining Proper Running Form

Your running form should not change when you are training on the treadmill. Unfortunately, the moving belt of the treadmill can create havoc with your running mechanics. The moving belt can cause some runners to lean too far forward at the waist in an attempt to “keep up” with the belt. Other runners may run with an extremely “bouncy” stride or may run with a very short and tight stride. You can avoid these form problems by focusing on your running mechanics.

All runners should concentrate on proper form when they run, whether they train on a treadmill or the road. This is especially important for new treadmill users. It is much better to perfect your form right away, rather than acquire bad running form habits that may be hard to break. Good running form is the same no matter where you train.

The most efficient running posture is one that is mostly upright and relaxed, with a slight, whole body, forward lean beginning at the ankles. You should not lean forward at the waist. Your chest should be pushed out and your shoulders back and relaxed. Avoid all tension in your upper body. Tension is a form wrecker. Leaning too far forward at the waist will cause a stumbling, high impact motion that will slow you down and put excessive stress on your knees, hips and ankles. Leaning backward will cause you to run with too much vertical motion and will also stress your hips and back. Even the totally vertical posture that many running experts recommend has some built in stride inefficiencies. When running with a very vertical posture, you tend to reach out with both your legs and arms. This wastes energy and slows you down A slight, whole body, forward lean will enlist the help of gravity just enough to assist with directing your momentum smoothly forward. Keep your hips pressed forward and your butt tucked in. Visualize standing face first against a wall. Press your hips forward so the front of your hips touches the wall. Running with your hips forward will help keep your motion going forward instead of up and down. It will also allow you to drive your knees efficiently forward. Your foot should touchdown on the ball of your foot, with your foot directly under your center of gravity, not on your heel with your foot in front of your body. If you land on your heel you are over striding and are putting too much stress on your knees and hips. You are also putting on the brakes with each stride. Landing either flat footed or on the ball of your foot minimizes the impact and keeps your forward momentum going strong.

The most common form problem associated with treadmill running is the tendency of the moving belt to “grab” your feet and pull them back under your body. This can result in a stumbling, shuffling stride that places excessive stress on your knees, hips and back. To avoid this, concentrate on quickly lifting your feet off the belt. You should have a quick, compact running stride, which is also the best outside running stride. Count the number of strides you are taking in 1 minute. If you are running correctly you should be taking approximately 85 – 95 full strides per minute. If you are taking less than that you are spending too much time on your feet.

Hope this helps;)

[Therealsparky304]

Sometimes its flat and sometimes the incline kicks on, I do a pre loaded program the treadmill has! Yeah my form is way off what that info has. I'm going to give a shot at fixing my form and if I dont feel better then Im done with the mill. Sucks though,its kinda like losing and I hate to lose!!haha

[Therealsparky304]

OoOoh shit man, Meant to say thanks alot for taking the time to look that up for me~~~!!!

[Kim]

No problem.
I hope everything works out:)

[Jessica_1979]

I used to get the shin splints and calf pain and it all stemmed from not stretching the calves. Before and after. It makes a huge difference for me. I also got some tips for form from a triathlete who puts some time in running for sure. She said tread lightly....listen to your footsteps. Are you pounding along or light on your feet. Take slightly smaller strides if you are. . Tighten the core and chest up. Another option if its just that treadmill would be to put the incline to its max and so slow but large steps and hillclimb. Just keep it to a walk. It doesn't take long to get a great sweat going espescially if you add some dumbells to your hands .

But I agree with Kim...if it hurts don't continue.

:) Jess:D

[Mandy]

i always get terrible shin splints so i went and saw my chiropractor, i got orthotics for my runners and now i don't have the splints anymore.. it's worth a try?

[Seth]

Stretch before and after... Also your shoes can make a huge impact on that, I highly recommend Asics.

[Kimberly]

Stretch before and after... Also your shoes can make a huge impact on that, I highly recommend Asics.

Just remember when you stretch before only go about 80%. Go 100% after your workout when your muscles are loosened up. Never stretch 100% before. That's how you end up hurting yourself and pulling muscles.

[Mandy]

i don't remember if i posted this but, you can try getting orthotics too from your doc, they helped me with my shin splints

[Cici]

Stretch before and after... Also your shoes can make a huge impact on that, I highly recommend Asics.

I have to agree with the Asics. I was very happy after my first run in mine!

[Rosemary]

Good Post.

[HippieBiker]

Asics rock!

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