SCARED OF THE TREADMILL?!!!

I'm afraid of it too. Ever since my brother fell off right before my eyes in a tempo run...gory. That's why I cycle over the winter, my friend.

Hmmm....I have had some fears about falling off, I think everyone does at some point, but pretty soon I manned up and realized the treadmill isn't going to hurt me. besides, if you do fall off, you will probably be alright. Your ego will mostly be damaged

Yep, me too. I didn't used to though - I used to get on them without a second thought. But something (don't know what) has now got me weirded out on them. I wonder if it's a vestibular thing, maybe inducing vertigo.

I’ve never fallen off of a treadmill. I’ve never even seen anyone falling off in person. That being said, if you do fall off, it’s not going to hurt that much. I watch treadmill fails on youtube all the time. Nobody gets seriously injured.

I am so, so, afraid of the treadmill too...I feel like I am literally going to die if I extend my legs. No idea how some people can do it so effortlessly.

That is interesting.

I know that running on a treadmill messes with my stride.

It's OK, but it's not the same as running outside for me.

I love treadmill running. But initially, I was a little scared about this happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZ91YtKLN4

I run half of my mileage on a treadmill. I do anything from speedwork @ 12+ mph to hill intervals to 10 mile tempos to 20 mile long runs on the treadmill. I prefer running on the roads, trails, and track but have no problems doing a lot of running on the treadmill if that is more convenient. The only time I ever fell off a treadmill was during a run Row workout at Orange Theory Fitness where I tried to jump off a still moving treadmill to get to the tower faster. Lesson learned: Never try to exit a moving treadmill.

That‘s Rower.. not tower.

scaredofthetreadmill wrote:

I basically feel like I am going to tip over when I run on a treadmill.

. . .

any tips?

If you've been running at 0% grade on a treadmill, you may feel as though you're running slightly downhill. Try increasing to a 2% grade, which should feel more like running outdoors on a flat surface. (Your pace at 2% may be about ten or fifteen seconds per mile slower than it would be at 0% grade.) Also, start off very slowly, just walking, and gradually increase the pace until you reach a speed at which running feels more comfortable than walking.

One other thing. Unlike many of the older machines, modern treadmills tend to be very "bouncy," almost like trampolines. It takes a while to get used to that if you've been running on harder surfaces.

This was a story I heard about Alberto Salazar

Reportedly allegedly when he started track at Ou he went up to an asst coach and the exchanged went something like this

al sal-hey do you know where I can find some old extra mattresses

Asst coach-why? What’s up?

Al sal- we’ll i have a treadmill in my apt and everytime I get going too fast it throws me off the back and into the walk behind it...I need to mattresses to cushion my fall

Asst coach—holy s$it!

Hahaha

Use to be able to just hop on a treadmill but for some reason now I get very dizzy. Stopped running on them a while back. Not sure why this starting happening. Seems like there are a few others that have had the same experience.

I've missed strides on the treadmill several times and not fallen off. I've set it so fast that I had to quickly lower the speed and not fallen off. To fall off a treadmill you literally have to miss two strides in a row, trip yourself, or clip the front then miss a stride with your other foot. Its not that likely to happen. However, it is always more fun to run outside.

Clip the kill switch strap to you. I've closed my eyes (didn't realize it) and slid right off the back of the treadmill. The kill switch stopped it instantly and no harm came to me. It's annoying when I accidentally kill the treadmill on an errant arm swing, but it's worth it if it saves me injury, especially at faster paces. My wife did a similar thing walking on a treadmill and fell right off the back with no strap to kill it. Her pride was very injured, but she got up and laughed it off without a scratch. Had she been running, it might have left a bruise, but as long as you aren't just face-sitting on the moving tread after you fall, you're probably fine.

I'd further challenge you to change your zeitgeist about running outside in the cold. There are very few times it's actually *too* cold to run out there. Be safe, but less than 3 miles of running can be done at nearly any temperature with the right clothes and a little body adaptation.

Thank you guys for all of the input. It is much appreciated.

This morning I woke up at 5 AM and went to the gym with my mom and sister. Usually I do a mix of cycling and 'running' on the treadmill (again, more like wobbling with fear and intermittently holding onto the handrails). I literally had to get OFF AT 0.10 OF A MILE. Now, some of you may think I just need to suck it up and stop being scared. But I literally can't RUN RIGHT on it. My body will NOT allow me too. I was constantly putting my hands on and off the railing because I felt so unsteady, but I know that holding on is bad. So, while all of the fancy gym trainers were training their clients, I deadass ran a 0.10 of a mile, hopped off, and began the walk of shame over to the stationary bikes.

So, long story short, the general consensus is:

I really want to get into running. I live in MI where it is cold, but f**ck it, i'm just gonna have to start up a running watch and take my sorry ass on some laps around the neighborhood. Do you guys think it is safe for a 15 yr old female to run alone around her neighborhood? I'm vv scared of getting kidnapped and I am extremely flighty and anxious.

Sure, run around your neighborhood. If you're worried about safety, don't wear headphones. As for the shame of not being able to get on the treadmill, that might change as you get used to running (though if it doesn't, it ain't no biggie, it's just a machine).

Speaking for myself, I've had periods where I'm successful on the treadmill after having a period of wobbly weirdness (I only try in the hottest of summer and coldest of winter, so my attempts are sporadic), so things do change. Plus, anxiety levels surely make it worse.

Also! An absolutely great workout is to set it at a very high incline and simply "hill" walk. You can be sure you'll get your heart rate up the same as if you were running, though you'll be forced to walk slowly, so it's a great alternative. Might also get you used to being on there and more comfortable with it. Just don't do too much at once because your achilles will appreciate time to get used to it.

Treadmill running makes me anxious. It feels confining and a little unsafe, especially if you're cranking it up around 12, 13mph.

Unfortunately, it's really the only option during winter months in the coldest climates.

The key is to have enough space behind the treadmill that if you do fall off you don't slam into anything. I cannot stand it when gyms have mirrors directly behind the treadmills. That is just a disaster waiting to happen.

Also, make sure you wear the kill switch clip. I have seen some pretty nasty belt burns when someone has fallen and the belt tears up their leg because they were too cool to wear the clip.

Too cold to run outside and afraid of the treadmill?

This is what happens when parents don't throw the kids out in the morning and don't let them in until afternoon.