The treadmill is always one of the most popular cardio machines in the gym because this machine can help people improve their cardiovascular fitness, tone up their legs and lose a few pounds from their waistline.
It is also ideal for older people who want to stay fit and healthy because it is easy to do a gentle walking workout on one of these machines.
As a result, more and more people are choosing to buy their own treadmill that they can use anytime they want in the comfort of their own home, but whilst this is undoubtedly a good thing, I thought it would be a good idea to list some of the main drawbacks of using a treadmill at home:
Monotonous And Boring
The first thing to say is that treadmill workouts are notoriously boring. There are ways you can alleviate the boredom, such as watching TV or listening to music, for example, but running on the spot for 20 or 30 minutes is incredibly dull no matter what else you happen to be doing at the same time.
So you should bear this in mind before splashing out $1000, $2000 or $3000 on a treadmill because it could turn out to be nothing more than a very expensive clothes horse a few months down the line if you are not motivated enough to continue using it.
Not Good For Race Training
If you are someone who likes to take part in road races and cross country races, you should be aware that running on a treadmill at home is not exactly the best way to train for one of these races.
That’s because a treadmill can never replicate the conditions that you will face outdoors. For example, you will obviously be running on a smooth running belt that absorbs impact when you use your treadmill, but you may well find yourself running on stones, gravel, muddy terrains and a variety of uneven surfaces in an outdoor race.
Plus of course you will be also be affected by rain or wind, for example, which you cannot replicate on a treadmill.
Different Bio-Mechanics
Following on from the last point, it is also worth mentioning that the bio-mechanics of running on a treadmill is a lot different to running outdoors as well. You may well find that your running stride is a little shorter when you are using a treadmill at home because of the size restrictions of the running deck.
Some people also adopt a slightly different running action when using a treadmill, without even knowing it most of the time, which could potentially result in injury at some point.
Potential Accidents
It is also worth pointing out that the potential for accidents is pretty high when using a treadmill. If you find yourself slowing down and failing to keep pace with the running belt, you could easily fall off, and it is also really easy to stumble if you are not paying attention.
The good thing about using a treadmill in the gym is that you have members of staff and other gym members to help you if you fall off one of the treadmills, but you may well be on your own if you are using your own treadmill at home. Therefore you could find yourself unable to get up for hours on end if you seriously injure yourself and require medical assistance.
Expensive
Another drawback of using one of these machines at home is that they can be extremely expensive. Yes you can buy an entry-level model for as little as $200 or $300, but if you want a top quality machine that has advanced power incline settings, multiple workout programs and will last you many years, you may have to pay anything from $1500 to $5000 for a gym-standard machine.
They can also be expensive to run because most treadmills are powered by electricity nowadays and need to be plugged into the mains. So you might find that your electricity bill is a little higher as a result.
Require A Lot Of Space
The final drawback of buying your own treadmill is that these machines will undoubtedly take up a lot of space in your home. Whilst it is now possible to buy one that can be folded into an upright position, many of the modern machines are big, heavy and cumbersome to move around. So this is something else you should bear in mind before you decide to actually buy one of these treadmills.
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