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If you’re new to tracksuits and looking for guidance on proper usage, our experts have shared the best practices you should follow.
Warming up: As with any exercise, you should not neglect the warm-up. Warm up for five to 10 minutes at a simple brisk walk.
Do not hold on to the handrails: If you’re running on the treadmill at a pace that’s a little too fast for you, it’s tempting to hold on to the console or handrails. “This risks injury and is not the correct shape of the tracksuit,” Wilpers warns. If you find the speed too fast, lower it until it feels comfortable enough that your elbows are holding your sides.
Don’t go out too fast: One common mistake some people make is to overestimate the speed. Wilpers says, “It’s mandatory to warm up or jog or jog before you get into the actual riding.”
Use your hands: It’s easy to forget about your arms if you’re jogging or running on a treadmill, but using your arms, as you taunt them as you run, makes you a more efficient runner. “Be sure to keep them bent at about 90 degrees and not swinging over your body, because that’s a sign that your torso is rotating too much,” Wilpers advises.
Run tall, run light, run loose: If you’re running on a trainer, you want the movement to feel as natural as possible. Wilpers says, “During the step, engage the mental body to assess how you’re working from head to toe, including breathing.” When thinking about your form, running high means you maintain a straight forward placement from the ankle forward, while light refers to light fast feet, and running relaxed relaxed is everything else that doesn’t drive movement.
Who should avoid trainers: It is important to avoid jumping on the trainer if you are currently injured, have an illness, have recently had surgery or are recently postpartum. “I wouldn’t recommend treadmill training right now, but once you’ve been cleared by your doctor, the treadmill can probably be a good training tool to get you back in shape,” says Kennedy. If you have heart conditions, vertigo, arthritis, or disc issues, it’s best to consult a doctor first.
