Treadmill vs rubberized surface

Meagan wrote in message ...

Quoted message said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we

usually

Quoted message said:

have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is becoming
harder for me to tolerate. My other choice is to continue using the
rubberized local university indoor track (7 laps/mile) on bad winter days.
However, the rubberized surface is hard on my legs and back (My back goes
"out" sometimes so this is a consideration) compared to running on the
pavement. So, I would like to get feedback from others who use either or
both of these to see if there is a general concensus as to which is the
lesser of the two evils. Thanks for any input.

IMO treadmills are very hard to consistently run on because of the boredom,
so its probably best to do some of both. A treadmill should be easy on the
legs and back, and can be ok if you set up a TV that accepts headphones in
front of it. Also, check the classifieds or just be on the lookout for
treadmills - a lot of people buy them and never use them then throw them
away after a few years. I've gotten 2 perfectly working treadmills and a
decent stationary bicycle trainer just picked up from the side of the road.
They just needed batteries and one needed the circuit breaker to be pushed.

- Tony

"Tony" <qtrader2@(remove)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:QhV8d.737$tc.274@trndny02...

Quoted message said:

IMO treadmills are very hard to consistently run on because of the
boredom,
so its probably best to do some of both. A treadmill should be easy on
the
legs and back, and can be ok if you set up a TV that accepts headphones in
front of it.

You don't need the headphones if you've set up in your own home, unless you
turn the TV up so loud you annoy the neighbors. 🙂

But one other thing to consider if you live in an aparment above someone is
how much of the machine noise & vibration will be noticed by your downstairs
neighbors -- especially if it's over their bedroom & you exercise in the
early a.m.!
bj

We own our own home and I already am used to the boredom factor since I have
an elliptical trainer and a recumbant bike that I use daily. I usually go
between talk radio,TV, and complete spacing out to nowhere zone. I like to
have some impact exercise (running) about 3X/week throughout the year too,
which is why I am considering the treadmill. While on the topic of
treadmills, is anyone familiar with Horizon brand (T51 model)? It seems very
quiet and roomy.

Thanks!
"bj" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:5mW8d.5605$cd1.942@trnddc03...

Quoted message said:

"Tony" <qtrader2@(remove)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:QhV8d.737$tc.274@trndny02...

Quoted message said:

IMO treadmills are very hard to consistently run on because of the
boredom,
so its probably best to do some of both. A treadmill should be easy on
the
legs and back, and can be ok if you set up a TV that accepts headphones
in
front of it.

You don't need the headphones if you've set up in your own home, unless
you
turn the TV up so loud you annoy the neighbors. 🙂

But one other thing to consider if you live in an aparment above someone
is
how much of the machine noise & vibration will be noticed by your
downstairs
neighbors -- especially if it's over their bedroom & you exercise in the
early a.m.!
bj

I've considered adding a recumbant bike to my "home gym" (if I can make the
room -- maybe get rid of that chair over there....) since I've found that I
can read while using one, which I can't do with the treadmill.
bj

"MSEagan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:tkX8d.423301$8_6.16665@attbi_s04...

Quoted message said:

We own our own home and I already am used to the boredom factor since I
have an elliptical trainer and a recumbant bike that I use daily. I
usually go between talk radio,TV, and complete spacing out to nowhere
zone.

If you don't read while riding one, you can do what I do....I lift weights
as I pedal (10-13 pounds per arm) to give my upper body some conditioning. I
wrap weights around my arms and sometimes hold smaller ones in my hands to
add alittle extra weight.

"bj" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:svY8d.5625$cd1.2543@trnddc03...

Quoted message said:

I've considered adding a recumbant bike to my "home gym" (if I can make
the room -- maybe get rid of that chair over there....) since I've found
that I can read while using one, which I can't do with the treadmill.
bj

"MSEagan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:tkX8d.423301$8_6.16665@attbi_s04...

Quoted message said:

We own our own home and I already am used to the boredom factor since I
have an elliptical trainer and a recumbant bike that I use daily. I
usually go between talk radio,TV, and complete spacing out to nowhere
zone.

bj said:

I've considered adding a recumbant bike to my "home gym" (if I can make the
room -- maybe get rid of that chair over there....) since I've found that I
can read while using one, which I can't do with the treadmill.

You can also read while lying on the couch, and it's as about as effective
as the recumbant bike. Seriously, how many calories per hour do you burn on
that thing while reading ?

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

MSEagan said:

If you don't read while riding one, you can do what I do....I lift weights
as I pedal (10-13 pounds per arm) to give my upper body some conditioning. I
wrap weights around my arms and sometimes hold smaller ones in my hands to
add alittle extra weight.

Oh boy, is this some sort of competition to see who can devise the most
ill-advised training program ?

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

Meagan said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we usually
have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is becoming
harder for me to tolerate.

How so ? There are a lot of "old" people (some of whom post here) who do just
fine in the cold. I'm not "old", but I run in reasonably cold weather (down
to single digits)

Quoted message said:

My other choice is to continue using the
rubberized local university indoor track (7 laps/mile) on bad winter days.

That's an oddball length. I wouldn't recommend this.

Quoted message said:

However, the rubberized surface is hard on my legs and back (My back goes
"out" sometimes so this is a consideration) compared to running on the
pavement. So, I would like to get feedback from others who use either or
both of these to see if there is a general concensus as to which is the
lesser of the two evils. Thanks for any input.

Your problems on the track probably have more to do with the turns and the
associated lateral forces than they do with the actual surface.

The treadmill shouldn't cause any problems.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

MSEagan wrote in message <7ZY8d.79936$He1.15436@attbi_s01>...

Quoted message said:

If you don't read while riding one, you can do what I do....I lift weights
as I pedal (10-13 pounds per arm) to give my upper body some conditioning.

I

Quoted message said:

wrap weights around my arms and sometimes hold smaller ones in my hands to
add alittle extra weight.

Damn u must be buff 🙂

"Donovan Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Meagan said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we

usually

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is

becoming

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

harder for me to tolerate.

How so ? There are a lot of "old" people (some of whom post here) who do

just

Quoted message said:

fine in the cold. I'm not "old", but I run in reasonably cold weather

(down

Quoted message said:

to single digits)

Last year I developed Reynaulds Phenomenom which causes my fingers to turn
blue and numb when they get cold. I used to be relatively tough about going
outside. Also, in the ice it is not easy to run here. Do you have
recommendations for very good mittens? A sporting good store recently opened
and all they had were $40 gloves with valves one could blow into. I think a
sub zero mitten would be more effective than gloves of any kind.

There is no "lesser of two evils".............either way, you're
jogging.

Meagan <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we

usually

Quoted message said:

have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is

becoming

Quoted message said:

harder for me to tolerate.

What makes the cold harder to tolerate? Is it anything that warming up the
joints indoors and wearing additional clothing can't eliminate?

Meagan said:

Last year I developed Reynaulds Phenomenom which causes my fingers to turn
blue and numb when they get cold.

How cold is it ? You've got to be zealous about preotecting your hands -- they
get colder when you're running than they would otherwise. When you're walking
around outside, you will do things like fold your arms or put your hands in
your pockets without even thinking about it. Not possible when running. For
this reason I have on occasion run in shorts, tank top -- and a pair of
windproof mittens.

If it's cold, say mid 20s or so, the typical lightweight glove is inadequate
and as you've no doubt discovered, you get very cold hands.

Quoted message said:

I used to be relatively tough about going outside. Also, in the ice it is
not easy to run here. Do you have recommendations for very good mittens?
A sporting good store recently opened and all they had were $40 gloves with
valves one could blow into. I think a sub zero mitten would be more
effective than gloves of any kind.

The gloves that you're describing sound inappropriate for running. Many
sports stores don't have appropriate gloves for running, you probably should
get them online instead.

I agree that mittens are preferable. I wear sporthill 3sp mitts. These are
windproof and quite warm. They're also large enough that you can wear a pair
of gloves underneath them (which I often do).

Sugoi make a similar mitt (micratherm wind mitt). Haven't tried this but
I have several other sugoi items and they're one of my favourite brands.
These are available online for $15 now.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

In article <[email hidden]>, Donovan Rebbechi
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Meagan said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we usually
have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is becoming
harder for me to tolerate.

How so ? There are a lot of "old" people (some of whom post here) who do just
fine in the cold. I'm not "old", but I run in reasonably cold weather (down
to single digits)

Single digits F? I'm beat. It doesn't really get that cold here too
often.

But I love running in the cold, and I'm pretty old (43). And in the
rain, too. I have this whole St-Francis-of-Assisi-Gandhi self-image as
I do it, which I know is ludicrous but which is also very satisfying.
There's something marvellous about abandoning material comfort - all the
stuff we THINK we need - and entrusting yourself to nothingness, to
nothing but your own body and its powers... when I'm ten miles from
home, with only my own two legs to rely on, that's a great moment of
truth.

My problem is kids under five, which means I can't always leave home.
Hence the treadmill. It's not too boring if you do some speedwork, hill
running, set yourself workouts - one thing I love is to try to reproduce
an outdoor run I've enjoyed, remembering where the hills are and how
fast I need to go. I also watch a lot of tv 🙂. I've seen a lot of
European art film this way because subtitles are easier than dialogue.

OP, why not do some road running if the track gets too hard? Unless the
camber hurts your back..... but you did say it was better. I would
think that if you alternate this with treadmill running, it would give
your back some relief without getting too boring.
--
Jane Lumley

As I said in a previous post, I developed Reynaulds last year so my hands
will get numb and my fingers will turn blue even in mid 30s or 40s
sometimes. It can get very cold here for months at a time....zero, sub zero,
winds at 20mph gusts...very unpleasant for months at a time. I used to run
outside even when it hit 15 below with windchill, but I cannot do that
anymore. I am in North West Indiana.

"Matthew Venhaus" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Meagan <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we

usually

Quoted message said:

have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this is

becoming

Quoted message said:

harder for me to tolerate.

What makes the cold harder to tolerate? Is it anything that warming up the
joints indoors and wearing additional clothing can't eliminate?

Are you seriously saying that a recumbant bike is useless?
Or are you just yankin chains about reading?

Anyway, I can't read on the couch as I don't have one of those either.
bj

"Donovan Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

bj said:

I've considered adding a recumbant bike to my "home gym" (if I can make
the
room -- maybe get rid of that chair over there....) since I've found that
I
can read while using one, which I can't do with the treadmill.

You can also read while lying on the couch, and it's as about as effective
as the recumbant bike. Seriously, how many calories per hour do you burn
on
that thing while reading ?

"Donovan Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Meagan said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we
usually have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this
is becoming harder for me to tolerate.

Quoted message said:

How so ? There are a lot of "old" people (some of whom post here) who do
just fine in the cold. I'm not "old", but I run in reasonably cold weather
(down to single digits)

Perhaps you missed the bit about "icy".
bj

bj said:

Are you seriously saying that a recumbant bike is useless?
Or are you just yankin chains about reading?

A bit of both. I've tried the recumbant bike and it didn't last very long --
the seating postion makes it difficult to produce a good power output. I
suppose extremely low intensity exercise enables you to read, but then,
so does sitting on the couch.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/

bj said:

"Donovan Rebbechi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Meagan said:

I am considering buying a decent treadmill for winter use because we
usually have many months of cold, icy weather and, as I get older, this
is becoming harder for me to tolerate.

Quoted message said:

How so ? There are a lot of "old" people (some of whom post here) who do
just fine in the cold. I'm not "old", but I run in reasonably cold weather
(down to single digits)

Perhaps you missed the bit about "icy".

"Perhaps" I didn't miss it. "Perhaps" I wanted to follow up with a request for
clarification, because I thought that "perhaps" there was more to it.

"Perhaps" I was right.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi
http://pegasus.rutgers.edu/~elflord/