Manual treadmill

[Jeff S]

Hi everyone,

I'm 8 weeks out from my BAV replacement and aneurysm repair. I just started cardiac rehab yesterday and the nurse told me something I wanted to check out with all of you.

We just got a manual treadmill for walking indoors. The nurse said that they don't recommend them for use by heart patients. I asked if it was unsafe, and she said she wasn't sure, but that she has just always heard that. She is going to research it some more.

Has anybody else heard this?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[Karlynn]

I had a manual treadmill one time and it didn't work for me - although it wasn't a very good one. The problem I had is that I had to exert too much force to get it going and it made my heart rate jump up right away. (But I'm a mitral valver and that's par for the course.) I think the electric TM's allow you to just get on and start out at a regular pace. I had no problem with our electric treadmill, until the belt shredded!

 

[Bina]

That's right.....the manual ones require some force to get them going, which is not the most desireable way to start your exercise. The electric ones you can start off very slowly, step on, and increase the intensity as you progress(providing that your heart rate cooperates). Many of the high end models can be found for sale second-hand at good prices.

 

[sue943]

I might as well get rid of mine then, I never use it anyway.

 

[SumoRunner]

One of the issues I've always had with motorized treadmill training is that it does some of the work for you. When you run on the road, the road stands still. If it does not then you have bigger problems than fitness. You have to propel yourself forward as you push off on each stride or you're just running in place. A "manual" treadmill forces you to do the same as if you were running outdoors, that is you have to provide the energy of forward movement.

On a motorized treadmill, the motor is moving the road for you, so it de-trains those muscles you would have used for forward motion. All you are doing is bouncing up and down and while the foot is in mid air thrusting it forward to catch a ride back on the belt.

People who train exclusively on motorized treadmills have a tough time running outdoors at first. Not for long though, just a couple weeks at most, but it is noticeable.

Mind you, it is not wasted effort. You work out the cardio-vascular and pulmonary systems, strengthen the major muscles, stretch the connective tissues going through the normal range of motion and condition yourself to the stress of high impact. That's more than 90% of the benefits you want to get from running. There's just that few extra percent involved in the forward propulsion that is missing.

 

[Bina]

SumoRunner, I understand what you are saying, but Jeff just wants to do walking as the start of his cardiac rehab exercise. I'm sure that soon enough he will be able to include some force and exertion.