The effects of running

We all know that running is considered good for us. But this is a general statement – although running is a great CV exercise and good for general fitness it can take its toll on you joints – especially the knees. Running on grass and other soft surfaces can help, as can using a good quality treadmill, where impacts on the joints is reduced by about 75%!

Running shoes

Research has shown that modern running shoes with cushioned soles encourage runners to land on their heels and cause as much damage to the runner’s joints as any standard training shoes. The major manufactures are working on designs to correct this problem and, hopefully in the near future, will be producing running shoes which encourage a better running method.

How do I get started?

So, you’ve got your machine, it’s it’s looking shiny and new in the centre of your home and is ready for action! – now what??? This may seem like a silly statement, but it’s best not to simply jump on the machine and press ‘go’. You should have a goal, and you should have some idea of your target heart rate, the speed to run/walk  at and the length of time to train. A really good way to get started is to join a gym for a few weeks (many gyms offer a cut-price trial period) – this gives you plenty of time to get used to using the equipment. All gyms should have a qualified instructor and these should be able to assess your level of fitness and provide you with a training program – which you can use in your own home own gym! Going to a gym will also give you a good idea of what to look for in a treadmill – just remember that a commercial treadmill will cost several thousand pounds, so don’t expect the same features on your home gym unless you have a very deep wallet!