| According to the Sports Goods Manufacturers | | | | LIGHTLY Running on a treadmill is much easier |
| Association, treadmills are the #1 | | | | on your legs, feet, and joints than running |
| home-fitness item, outdistancing | | | | on rock-hard concrete and asphalt, and |
| stair-climbers, stationery bicycles, rowing | | | | special low-impact treadmills are available |
| machines and cross-country skiers. | | | | which claim to reduce the impact of running |
| | | | by 40%. How? The running belt on the |
| In fact, some surveys indicate that nearly 40 | | | | treadmill gives more than outdoor surfaces, |
| million Americans run on treadmills. | | | | and the inner workings of the treadmill help |
| Marathoners use treadmills. So do collegiate | | | | to disperse the shock waves that occur when |
| runners, soccer moms, lunchtime joggers and | | | | your foot strikes a surface. |
| legions of senior citizens who are eager to | | | | |
| get in shape and keep in shape. And according | | | | YOU'VE GOT HEART Want to know how many |
| to the research firm American Sports Data, | | | | calories you've burned? Your heart rate? How |
| women, forever dedicated to self-improvement, | | | | fast you're running? The distance you've run |
| are purchasing 75% of the new home treadmills | | | | to the hundredth of a mile? A wide range of |
| being sold. | | | | built-in monitors is standard equipment on |
| | | | many treadmills. Monitors help you get the |
| It's easy for women to incorporate a home | | | | most out of your workout by approaching it |
| treadmill into an existing exercise program | | | | scientifically and focusing on things like |
| as an alternative to outdoor running, or, a | | | | keeping your heart rate at a good level. In |
| treadmill can easily be the centerpiece of a | | | | fact, some treadmills even offer a special |
| fitness plan, providing excellent | | | | function that regulates the speed of the |
| cardio-vascular benefits all by itself. | | | | treadmill based on your heart rate the |
| | | | ultimate custom-tailored workout. FORM IS THE |
| The smart money knows that an investment in | | | | FUNCTION It's tough to develop a good running |
| a good home treadmill will pay off with big | | | | form when you're skipping to avoid tree roots |
| dividends in a variety of areas: IT'S A SURE | | | | or jumping on and off sidewalk curbs. And |
| THING It doesn't matter if you're weathering | | | | good form is integral to getting the most |
| a snowstorm in Nome, Alaska or a heat wave in | | | | from your run. With a treadmill, you have the |
| Tallahassee, Florida, your treadmill is | | | | dual advantage of a smooth running surface |
| always ready to take you a few miles closer | | | | and a steady pace, so you can concentrate on |
| to good health. Let the mailman worry about | | | | things like lengthening your stride, pumping |
| snow, or rain or dark of night, with a | | | | your arms, etc. |
| treadmill, you can run whenever you like. THE | | | | |
| CALL OF THE WILD There's no doubt that a run | | | | Any progress you make on the treadmill will |
| on a forest trail or in an urban park is a | | | | easily be translated to your outdoor running. |
| wonderful experience that brings out our | | | | TV YES! COUCH POTATO NO! If you love to watch |
| spirit of adventure. But, in many areas, a | | | | television, your time on the treadmill is a |
| run in nature may expose you to wild animals, | | | | perfect opportunity for guilt-free |
| unfriendly pets and even unsavory human | | | | multi-tasking. In the gyms of Wall Street in |
| beings. | | | | NYC, captains of industry watch CNN and get |
| | | | the market news while they're getting their |
| Far too many women in large cities and small | | | | morning dose of endorphins. At home, with a |
| towns have been victimized while out for a | | | | VCR, you can watch whatever you like |
| morning or afternoon run. A treadmill is | | | | cartoons, Regis and Kelly, soap operas, even |
| always in a safe place your house. And you | | | | tapes of your favorite marathon! (Hey, maybe |
| can bring the outdoors in for your run by | | | | you'll pick up some running style tips. ) |
| setting up your machine near a window so you | | | | FINDING THE ZONE Because home treadmills |
| can enjoy the view during your workout. | | | | eliminate a variety of distractions and |
| SLIPPERY WHEN WET After a heavy snowfall, | | | | stressors dogs, traffic, uneven roads, etc. |
| plows often heap white mountains onto the | | | | they allow you to really clear your mind and |
| sidewalk, forcing runners into the streets, | | | | easily enter a relaxed, meditative state |
| where ice and cars present dangerous | | | | while running. |
| obstacles to making it home alive. STEP | | | | |