Treadmill newbie

[MaitlandGirl]

So quick question about using a treadmill. Should I be aiming to increase my distance each week or the time I’m on there for?

Or should it be a combination of the two?

Week a - same time, longer distance
Week b - increase time

And repeat? I’m so confused

It depends, what are you doing? Jogging or running? Usually a fair mix is a good shout. Most machines have programmes that increase in intensity, so you jog, them run, run up hill , then jog again, that kind of thing.

At the moment I’m just trying to get a bit more exercise and move a bit more each day.

I have dreams of actually being fit enough to complete couch to 5km and then go into the 10km but I need to build up some basic level of fitness first.

You can do c25k on a treadmill, why not do that?

I always set myself small goals at the gym, to alleviate the boredom of running on the treadmill. I think I'll run for at least 20 minutes and when I get there, I'll think I may as well do 5k, and then when I do that, I think I may as well do 30 minutes - and so on.

Buzz I’m no where near that level yet, I can walk 1km in 20 mins before I have to stop. I honestly don’t think I would survive trying to even walk 5kms at this stage so the couch25km is a distant dream atm.

But the c25k programme is designed for that. It starts with 30 seconds.

It depends why you are using the treadmill. If to build strength, it helps to walk longer times at higher inclines (at the maximum speed that leaves you just a bit out of breath - 4mph for me).

You most certainly can do C25K on the treadmill, from a level of no fitness whatsoever.

I did, and was running (slowly) for 30 minutes within 11 weeks. It took me longer than the suggested 9 week programme because I listened to my body and often left three days between runs. I just jogged slowly and concentrated on finishing each run and was able to go for longer week by week. Have a go, you'll surprise yourself.

But in answer to the question in your OP, I'd increase the time you are on there rather than the distance, as that will help you build up your stamina for doing C25K.

One other tip, increase the incline on the treadmill slightly as that will mimic outside conditions better.

I started running last summer and can still only just manage 4 minutes running before I have to slow down and walk for a few minutes then I run again, I just keep repeating the pattern for half an hour or until I drop LOL. Its really hard. However I am very overweight (15 stone). I downloaded an ap "couch to 5K" which helps me.

I'm running to loose the weight, so far I've lost 4 stone but I still have a long way to go.

OP, as others have said, c25k is designed to start from absolute zero - it builds up very slowly and gently. Plus the joy of the treadmill is that you can jog at a really slow plod, 8 or so, which is barely more than brisk walking. And the 'running' intervals are really short at first.