Treadmill - - Do you hold on?

losingjusme · January 9, 2008

I ususally hold on with one hand or the other, purely for balance. I'm not the most coordinated person, nor do I have the best inner ear workings. I have been known to lose my balance just standing in place, or taking a step. WHen I try to do a treadmill without hanging on, I an only do a few steps before I lose my balance or feel like I'm going to. Even just putting a finger or two on the controls or rails makes all the difference in the world.

i've been having major balance issues ever since i hit about 100 pounds gone.

when i am not running, i do hold on with 1 hand just to balance myself. i switch hands every .25 miles. right now im too unstable (i've been known lately to just get up from sitting and lose my balance ) to not hold on.

snuffy65 · January 9, 2008

Is the speed as important as the target heart rate? I wear a heart monitor and at 3.0 - 3.3 mph I'm hitting around 110. At this point in my journey, I'm happy with that.

I think keeping your target heart is more important for getting "exercise". But if your trying to "tone" your self you will need to give your muscles more and more challenges as you go.

godzgurl75 · January 14, 2008

I am almost 3 mths out since banding and bought a treadmill a week ago. I have to hold for the first few minutes then I swing/pump my arms but I also use the Lesile Sansone weighted balls and those give my arms a really good workout....

BobbiG · January 14, 2008

I think it has more to do with whether it's safe to let go. I'm 64 and have had two back surgeries which left me with balance issues. I have to hang on, but I just rest my hands lightly to keep my balance. It you can do it without holding, so much the better, but if you have balance issues, don't risk falling off. Just a note....be sure to use the safety cord so if you slip it will turn the tread off immediately. I fell off one years ago and got trapped between the moving tread and the wall. Ever since I've believed in those safety cords.