Treadmills are the most preferred pieces of exercise equipment. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), treadmills are the most efficient calorie burners for most people. A regular workout on a treadmill offers a lot of health benefits. It may burn body fat, help to lose weight, alleviate depression, and thereby improve overall mental and physical health of an individual. However, improper or careless use of a treadmill can lead to severe injuries. It is always better to start exercising moderately, and increase intensity of workout gradually.

Safety Tips

Before beginning, it is necessary to take note of the control panel on a treadmill. Also, it is important to pay attention to pause and emergency stop buttons, so that a user can stop the belt during a workout. Walking on treadmill is easier on joints than on pavement. A user needs to put on proper footwear such as walking or running shoes. He should never walk on a treadmill barefoot as this may result in injuries. It is advisable to not to wear clothing that could get caught in the belt or on the railings, because this would cause a person to become stuck while the belt moves underneath, again causing injuries. Only one person should use a treadmill at a time. More than one person on a treadmill is dangerous as one of them may slip or fail. Stand on the side rails, and not on the belt while starting a treadmill. Use one foot to get the rhythm, and then put another foot on the felt. For a beginner, it is recommended that he should hold onto the handrails, however, he can swing his arms after picking up pace.

It is a good idea to increase speed in small increments. This is done to avoid the belt from knocking a user off of the machine. It is better not look down, backwards, or sideways, as there is a tendency for a user to run or walk to the direction he is looking. A person should keep focus straight ahead of him. If you drop something, or you need to tie your shoe, it is better to step off of the treadmill. Standing still while the belt is moving is hazardous. A person may sometimes feel dizzy when he steps off of the machine. In this case, it is advisable to stand still and hold onto something. Then wait for some time before walking anywhere, till the dizziness goes away.