Have you lacked the motivation to keep active during winter? Well, the good news is the games are just around the corner which means it’s the perfect time to get your fitness back on track. You’ll be able to watch our champions in action and get fit at the same time with your own treadmill. To help you out we’ve collected some tips on how to start running.
Set yourself realistic goals
If you’re not a runner, the idea of starting can be extremely daunting. However, the actions of setting and achieving goals will make the process easier.
Before you step onto the treadmill, set yourself some goals. However, instead of having one big goal, set a few smaller goals along the way. Once you start to tick the smaller goals off the list, you’ll be motivated to keep going. On top of this, you’ll also find that you enjoy the process more. Before you know it you’ll be ticking off that big end goal.
Start by walking
If you don’t already have a base level of fitness then walking is the place to start. Running puts pressure on joints, so it’s important to build up your overall fitness before you start to prevent injuries.
Walk/run
As annoying as it sounds this is the best option to help build up your running abilities (as well as making sure you don’t end up hating it). There are heaps of techniques to approach walk/running including setting yourself time limits or listening to your body. You’ll find all these techniques on the internet- so you can find which suits you the best.
Increase your run time
Once you’ve found the walk/run technique that works for you, keep following your chosen guide and slowly increase your running time. The program you follow will step you through the best way to go about this, but the most important thing is to listen to your body.
Warm up and warm down
Before you run, it’s important to warm up, so you don’t injure yourself. But it’s important not to start with static warm ups- recent studies show that they do more harm than good. What you want to aim for is a minimum of 5-10 minutes of dynamic stretching. Dynamic stretching is stretching which involves fluid movements such as the act of running. These will not only prepare your muscles and tendons more than static stretching, but it also helps to increase the longevity of your run.
Warm down is when you can start to incorporate static stretching. These stretches will help your body to loosen up again and, in the end, will help you to recover more quickly.
We’ve got a fantastic range of treadmills to help you reach your fitness goals in the comfort of your own home. Click here to view our range. Or if there is another treadmill you prefer, let us know, and we will rent it to you.
**It is important to remember that we aren’t experts so make sure you consult your doctor if you have any worries, concerns or health issues before following this advice.
