Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Confused by Treadmill Walkers

I woke up yesterday with a bad case of the sniffles and spent the entire work day sneezing and keeping a box of Kleenex close. I really didn't feel like working out but I feel that a good run can help clear the sinuses. Since I didn't think that running outside was a good idea, I headed to the gym to knock off a few miles on the treadmill.

You're seeing correct. I was the girl working out in her matching pink and purple outfit.

When I was at the gym, it wasn't as busy as I would have expected. There were maybe 8 other people using treadmills when I went in there (although, I was the only person actually running on the treadmill). Do you find this at your gym too? That a lot of people walk on the treadmill? Are you a person that walks on the treadmill? I am bored running on the treadmill and I couldn't imagine walking on a treadmill. That just seems more boring to me! If someone could help explain this, I would greatly appreciate it.

This weekend I'm heading off to Wisconsin Dells with some friends for a "couples trip" weekend. If you have any recommendations for restaurants or attractions to visit, please let me know!

18 comments:

  1. I don't go to the gym, but I can see how this would be frustrating if you're waiting to run on a TM. I do 30 minute walking interval workouts on my TM at HOME on my non-running days to keep my leg muscles loose (and burn some extra calories). Some people may just be at a lower fitness level and are working their way up to running?

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  2. I have used the treadmill to walk before. There are a few interval/hill workouts I do that are just walking. And, let me tell you, the first time I did that? I was SO SORE the next day. Whew!

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  3. I don't belong to a gym, but every day I run by a few fitness centers. The people running/walking on the treadmills can see me and I can see them. I wonder if they think I am crazy running in the cold and ice? I don't think I'd pay for a gym membership if all I did was walk, but maybe they are just doing it in winter 'cause they don't like the cold?

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  4. I mostly see walkers at my gym on the TM. I have seen some of the same people doing their walk for 2-3 years now. I personally hate running on a TM so I opt for the Elliptical, but I really bust a$$ on it for an hour. Some I see couldn't run and many of them will give up before attaining the fitness level to run. To me at my fitness level I see walking as something I just don't have time for. I only have so long to workout and I am not going to waste it on something that isn't doing much. The people I just don't get are the ones who say they hate running or cardio in general. Some people can't believe I can go out and run 8-9 miles. They say they could never run a 5K. I do think people should do both cardio and strength training, but really just get out and do it and do it more than a few times and give it a chance.

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  5. Oh nice! I commute to work where I'm walking 15-20 minutes to work from the train station and the same on the way back. That might be another reason why I can't imagine walking on the treadmill. I think I would just be so bored!

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  6. Hm, this sounds interesting! I imagine hills are hard regardless whether you're running or walking!

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  7. That is funny to bring up a different perspective. Those walking on the treadmill probably think I'm crazy if they see me running in rain, snow, ice, etc. I signed up for the gym ages ago and I like to go there for availability of the other equipment for cross training, etc.

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  8. I am a 51 year old female that literally walked my arse off 5 years ago (46 pounds to be exact). In the months when the sun is still shining until the evening hours I still walk outside. Since I have to work all day I have to go inside a gym after work to get my cardio in. I can not physically afford to break something on my body by doing a faceplant on a dark city street. I won't use the eliptical unless I'm recovering from an injury - no thank you thunder thighs! I'm always stunned at the way "walkers" are somehow not considered on par with any other type of athletic endeavor. I guess I assumed as long as somebody was physically trying to keep moving they should be encouraged to do so rather than discouraged or made to fell like less of an athlete?

    As far as wisconsin dells - the only thing that was of any interest to us was the casino. otherwise it's a lot of pizza joints & water parks.

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  9. Thanks for your perspective Lisa. My thought was just that I couldn't imagine walking on the treadmill, personally (I just feel I would get so bored) so I was interested to hear what others had to say. My words were definitely not meant to put anyone down or discourage anyone at all. That is never my intent and I'm sorry if I came across that way. I definitely agree that exercise is exercise, and forward motion is forward motion! Getting out there and moving is something that we all (as a nation) can do more of!

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  10. I see more walkers than runners on the treadmills at the gym. I think some of the weight guys use it as a warm up, and i see a lot of people doing insane inclines (rivaling stair-masters) Maybe they just go for the cable? I totally go run at the gym sometimes to watch fresh prince.

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  11. Here's the link to the workout I did: http://pinterest.com/pin/11259067788411972/

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  12. I like the treadmill walkers because then I feel like I am "winning." Because we're racing, right??? Also I agree, they might just be there for the cable. I don't have cable at home, maybe I should start walking on the treadmill when Mad Men comes back.

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  13. There's nothing more irritating than getting to the gym to run on the treadmill and then finding them all occupied by people walking, especially when there are walkers available and half of them are not being used. I get that a lot at my gym. It's especially inconveniencing because there are only four treadmills and when they're all being used by walkers, I have to wait, some a long time. But then again, I don't use them that much. I prefer to run outside. It's a lot more challenging and the fresh air is invigorating.

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  14. I know a lot of people who can't run because of old knee injuries or just bad joints. Many of them are treadmill walkers and they MOVE! I barely even notice the runners vs the walkers on the mill, they are just OCCUPIED. And this makes me soooooo thankful for actually spending the $$ on a dreadmill this year. I don't have time to go to the gym, much less wait for a mill.

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  15. Michel@BabyWeightMyFatAssJanuary 16, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    While the treadmill at the gym is boring if I'm walking at home I have an IPad and netflix and I can actually hear it vs the gym. I've seen some people at the gym walking faster than I can run on the treadmill. Though that's not saying much for my speed in general.

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  16. I don't belong to a gym, but I would rather use the treadmill to walk than run. I find it so mind numbingly boring, but if I walk on it, I can try to read or watch something much easier than if I am running.

    It makes me sad that people think the walkers don't belong on the treadmills!

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  17. TONS of treadmill walkers at our gym, but I think they do it for the incline. At least that's what I've noticed.

    You look great in pink!! And it's nice that you can wear that in the middle of a Chicago winter. That's the beauty of the gym!

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  18. Oh wow, I've never thought twice about walkers using the treadmill as opposed to runners. Interesting that you bring it up. I've walked on the treadmill many times for the incline feature, especially when nursing my various injuries. Plus, it's nice being able to watch TV while I do it (I get motion sickness if I try to watch TV while running on the treadmill).

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