Choosing A Good Treadmill

There are many reasons why some people are not able to get into the open air to do some walking. If this applies to you, but you would still like to walk for exercise, a treadmill for the home could be the answer.

Choosing a good treadmill isn’t always easy.  There are many different types, features, and price ranges that must be considered.  It’s important to decide what you need and don’t settle for less because if you do you may not use it.

Treadmills are usually an expensive purchase and you need to make sure that you are getting a piece of equipment that will last.  They can range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the features.

It’s important that you try any piece of exercise equipment out before purchasing it so that you can make sure that it works the way you need it to.  Treadmill injuries can happen in an instant so it’s essential that you purchase one that is sturdy, has hand rails that are easy to grip and in the right place for you, and a belt that is made for your stride.

Once you have chosen the type and size of treadmill you want you will next need to consider the available features.  Some of the most common features include:

Pre-Set Programs:
A pe-set program will take you on a specific course that will, typically, change the speed and inclination while you are working out.  Many people like to use pre-set programs in order to change their workouts and so they don’t have to worry about speeding up the machine or changing the incline themselves.

Pulse Monitors:
Pulse monitors are a good way for you to make sure that you are working within your target heart rate.  Pulse monitors can also show how your body is responding to your workout so that you don’t overdo it.

Built-In Fans:
Many people like to have a built-in fan to keep them cool while walking or running.  There can sometimes be quite a difference in price for treadmills that feature built-in fans.

Book Holder:
Book or magazine holders allow people to read while they exercise  which can help to alleviate boredom while working out. Although it is not something I would recommend doing on a treadmill, as it can cause you to misstep which is dangerous, especially at high speeds.

Water Bottle Holders:
These are a nice feature so that you can stay hydrated without having to stop exercising.  This is a fairly standard feature on most treadmills.

It’s important to take your time while testing and shopping for a treadmill because it’s a larger purchase and you want to make sure that you are choosing one that will last you for quite some time.

Amazon.com have a large selection of treadmills at terrific prices. CLICK HERE to visit Amazon.com

Walking Events: Setting Bigger Goals

You’ve been walking for a while now and maybe you’re feeling bored with your routine or you want to see what you can accomplish.  Now’s the time to start setting some bigger goals for yourself and you might want to consider taking part in some local walking events.

There are many different events or goals that you can set for yourself and you can do these either to help yourself, help others, or both.  Some of the most common events that you can become involved in include:

5k Walks:
A 5k walk is 3.11 miles and typically can be completed within an hour.  Whether your goal is to walk a certain speed, raise a certain amount of money for charity, win the walk, or just make it to the finish line, you can accomplish it by training before the event.

10k Walks:
A 10k walk is 6.21 miles and can be completed within two hours.  Training for a 10k is the same as training for a 5k except you may want to begin training earlier in order to guarantee success.

Hiking Events:
Many people, depending on their location, can take part in a hiking event.  When training for a hiking event it’s important to try to hike in a similar surrounding as to where the event will be held.  Some things to consider when entering an event like this are the type of terrain, the length of the hike, and the elevation.

Powerwalking Events:
Powerwalking is a special type of walk that utilizes the entire body for maximum workout potential.  This type of walk takes a lot of practice in order to master but once you’ve done so training for a powerwalking event is no different than training for a 5k or 10k walk.

Long Distance Events:
There are two different types of long distance events, the basic long distance, and the ultra long distance event.  The difference between the two is the amount of miles walked.  Anything at 50 miles or above is considered an ultra event.  Training for this is something that should be done for at least a year and you should only enter walks that have adequate support during the event.

As you can see there are events for every type of walker and it’s important to consider training and entering into one so that you can challenge yourself and grow. And as always, remember to check with your doctor before starting any training regime.

Some Ways To Make More Of Your Walking Workout

Because walking is considered to be the easiest, least expensive, and safest way to work out many people begin with this type of exercise but later decide that they want to continue with walking but they need to make it more challenging.  There are many ways to do this:

Change Your Pace:
This is a simple way to challenge yourself while walking and it can be done at any time.  If you typically walk a mile in 15 minutes then try walking it in less time.  You will find that even this little change can increase your heart rate and challenge your body.

Change Your Terrain:
If you typically walk on a track or on sidewalks consider taking a walk in areas that include hills or even try a simple hike.  Changing the motion of your body and the way your muscles work can add quite a bit your walking workout.

Add Weights:
Adding weights to your walk is as simple as wearing ankle or wrist weights.  These are light-weight, cloth bands that are filled with sand and easily and safely worn around the wrists or ankles.  You may be surprised when you first try walking with weights what a difference a few pounds can make to your workout.

Use All of Your Muscles:
You will find that you expend more energy if you swing your arms while walking and swinging your arms naturally increases your speed.  Keep the movement natural and don’t clench your fists.  Your body should not have to think about what it’s doing.

Walk Further:
Don’t be afraid to add distance to your walking routine but make sure that you do it gradually.  If you currently walk a mile try adding a quarter of mile to your walk until you feel comfortable with the distance and then continue to add a quarter of mile until you have reached your distance goal.

Walk More Than Once a Day:
If you are currently walking 30 minutes a day but feel that you might not be able to handle a 60 minute walk you can try doing two 30 minute walks during your day.  If you walk 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening you have accomplished your 60 minute goal and your body doesn’t care that it was spread out.

These are simple and inexpensive ways to get more out of your walking workout without adding extra stress to your body.  Many of these changes will bring about results on their own but you can also combine these ideas in order to have a greater impact on your outcome.

Remember to always have the correct footwear for the type of walk you are doing. HERE is a good place to start if you need good walking shoes.

Choosing Good Walking Shoes

When buying walking shoes it’s important to make sure that they are the right ones for your feet.  Not only does everyone wear a different size many people have wide feet or walk on the insides or outsides of their soles.  Some ways to make sure that you are choosing the right walking shoe includes:

•    Choose walking shoes that have supportive, rounded heels
•    A flexible sole is important in order to allow the toe area to bend properly
•    A breathable, light weight shoe can make walking easier than if wearing a heavy shoe
•    Make sure to maintain a half an inch from the tip of the shoe to the tip of your toe
•    The heel of your foot should stay steady and not slip up or down
•    Try walking shoes on with the socks that you will use while walking
•    Take the shoes for a trial walk around the store or mall

When you find a shoe that you really like it can sometimes be hard to let them go once they are worn out but it’s important not to use them for walking shoes after they have reached that point.  Most shoe stores suggest that you replace them after 300 miles if you are overweight or have very light weight shoes and to replace them after 600 miles if you have a higher end shoe that can take more mileage before breaking down.

When purchasing walking shoes make sure to consider the type of arch you have.  Arches have three basic categories:

High arches are when the arch of your foot curves high and this can put strain on the muscles of your feet because you are taking almost all of the stress of walking on the balls of your feet and your heels.  If you have high arches you should look for shoes that have extra padding in the arch area.

Low arches are also commonly known as flat feet and there is typically not enough arching in the foot.  Walking shoes for flat feet will have some built up within the arch area but not as much as other types of shoes.

Neutral arches are considered normal and have just the right amount of curvature in the arch area.  These shoes will not be built up or lowered; they will be a standard walking shoe.

Buying some shoes may be all about the look but when purchasing walking shoes you need to make sure that you are buying the correct ones for your body and feet.  Don’t forget that most sales associates are trained to help you find the best shoe available for you.