I have a love-hate relationship with treadmills...

[Wetzelbill]

On on hand, I know I need to do some cardiovascular exercise to stay healthy and get into shape again, yet, on the other, I hate those things. I get sore. My wind is shit. Even back when I was a training machine and a serious athlete I hated to run or do anything of that nature. And, I was in perfect condition then.

After nearly three years of not lifting weights - I had a serious back injury, it healed but mentally I just wasn't feeling ready for a long time - I have been back in the gym for a few weeks now. It feels good. I love to lift. Sure I'm a bit sore, but nothing too bad. Taking it relatively slow at first, but I'm getting into my groove again.

But, the treadmill completely whipped my ass yesterday. I took a nap and woke up and my legs felt so sore. I could barely move. I didn't even push it all that hard either. I dread getting on that or the bike again.

But, I will do so.

Wish me luck.

Godspeed. :)

[NMMNG]

1. Good luck Bill

The good thing about treadmills is you can always adjust the speed as needed to fit your needs. Take it easy on yourself until you get in your groove, then work your way up. Nothing good will come of overdoing it and/or re-injuring yourself. :hug:

[Left_Winger]

2. More power to you Bill !

I'm a bike rider and it takes at least 30K just for me to feel good. When those times arise when I cannot ride, I do have "exercise hangovers", but it helps me to keep at it and not give up.

[Wetzelbill]

3. yeah, I'm not a cardio guy

always abhored it. Mainly developed into an avid weightlifter as I got older, but my back injury had me out of the fold for a while. Once I get my wind up a little I don't mind an easy thirty minutes on an exercise bike or so. I'd like to buy a mountain bike or something to get around, but I'm such an screwhead it would take me less than a week before I'd get run over by a truck or something.

[Left_Winger]

7. I've been riding for fifteen years now

and have only had one close call with a motorized vehicle. When I'm in town I stick to suburban streets as they are rather quiet. When I'm at the beach (very rural setting animals are where the close calls occur: once with a water moccasin and this past summer with an alligator.
There is a long, flat road in Georgetown County where our house is and makes for some good riding. However, two years ago I was tooling along at 30 kph (my speedometer is metric) I suddenly saw a water moccasin at the edge of the road. I was too close to swerve, because I would have crashed, so I just lifted my feet and went on by. It did strike at my tire and it felt as if someone had punched it. I did wobble almost to the point of falling over. This past summer I saw the alligator about thirty yards away which gave me time to stop and turn around; but it did turn toward me. Yikes! In case you did not know, gators can run really fast and my bike was in a high gear so it would take some pumping to get back up to speed.

I have crashed only once and it was because of a lovely, young lady in a bikini; I just wasn't looking where I was going. My pride was bruised more than my hip (that's where I landed).

[Wetzelbill]

13. beautiful women are more dangerous than alligators and water moccasins...

No doubt about that! :)

I can't believe it struck your tire so hard. Those things have to have a powerful kick to 'em.

Alligators. I wouldn't want to meet one in a dark alley.

[MissMillie]

4. run w/o the treadmill

you can adjust your speed w/o having to mess w/ any controls at all.

I jog 3 to 4 times per week, and I love it. I could never jog when I was 90 lbs. heavier, so doing it now makes me feel like a bad-ass. I'm slow (I make the tortoise look good) but I don't care.

On days that I don't jog, I get my cardio on the elliptical machine.

I spend a few minutes of every workout in the weight room, but I don't work the same muscle groups on consecutive days.

Remember, when starting out, you can always run-walk-run-walk-run-walk..... until you've got your running legs back.

And remember, lifting weights doesn't have to be bench-pressing 300 lbs. either. Start small, work your way up to where you want to be. Listen to your body. Sore is one thing... injury hurts are quite another.

Good luck! (And please feel free to join us over in the Exercise and Fitness Forum!)

[Wetzelbill]

5. oh good lord jogging kills me

I really can't do it often. I should mention I used to be a serious athlete, so I have had some devastating injuries, plus little ones nagging over the years. Jogging is way too tough on my feet and knees. That's why I prefer an exercise bike, treadmill or swimming. Once in a while I'll run, but I can't do it all that often. Too much stress.

Good idea on the run-walk stuff. I usually do that. I walk on the treadmill for maybe 5 minutes than pick it up for about 15 minutes or so then cool down the last ten. I took it pretty easy yesterday. Last week my legs didn't get sore at all. I think doing deadlifts the other day is what did it. My hamstrings are so tight, haha.

Oh lord, if I only could bench 300 pounds! I could get about 250 a few years ago. Which is good for my size. I'm 5'1 and was about 130 or so then. My back injury I think was the result of years of athletic activity. Really stressful activity. Nowadays, I'm looking to work my way into it pretty slowly, then start lifting hard and heavy in another few weeks or so. I'm physically gifted, so I can whip myself into decent shape in no time. It's just a pain in the ass getting started. :)

[JimmyJazz]

6. My advice: switch to an elliptical - especially if you have a low VO

capacity. You'll get the same benefit (especially if you use the one with the arms, too) without all the wear and tear. Without all that pounding and heavy breathing, you can really concentrate on your muscle groups and on your music :)

[Wetzelbill]

8. I never tried one....

I should give it a go. I don't like moving my arms like that though. I had my left shoulder reconstructed and it feels weird to extend it out. I should try it though. I prefer stationary bikes over anything though. Much easier on my knees and so forth. Actually, I much prefer to sit on the couch and watch tv, but that just don't cut it. :)

[GOPisEvil]

9. Ellipticals rule!!

I don't do the ones with the arms thingies, though.

[Zomby Woof]

10. I love 'em

I admit I don't have the back problem you had. :-(

Good luck though!

[Orsino]

11. Always happens to me, too.

First time exercising hard after a long break will make me sore the next day, but if I nap right after exercising the pain is worse. The cool-down really is more important than even the warm-up.

[xmas74]

12. I hate treadmills.

I'd prefer to run outside if at all possible. Treadmills are so boring-you feel as if you have accomplished nothing but getting winded when you are done.

[Skittles]

14. OK what are you doing wrong

When I'm on business trips or at my mum's house I do an hour on the treadmill at 4MPH, every day. Sure my legs feel like rubber when I get off but that lasts about five minutes.

I'm 48 and I excercise about six times a week.

[Nikia]

15. I never liked tread mills

Even when I was a runner and in good shape. I was more tired running on one of those at a slower speed than running a faster speed on the road. I think that it had to do with my naturual stride and running form. I just couldn't run properly on them.