Did you know that your arms are a key component to getting a good workout on your treadmill? Many people only think about the workout a treadmill gives to their legs and their cardiovascular system, but your arms can also get a great workout if you pay attention to them while working out on a treadmill. In addition, by putting your arms to work, you can improve the overall effectiveness of your treadmill routine.
Letting it Hang
Some people feel a bit perplexed about their arms when working out on a treadmill. They feel the need to put their arms somewhere rather than allowing them to hang freely by their sides. As a result, they often rest them against the handrail or other parts of the treadmill. At the very least, you should allow your arms to hang freely so you can maintain a natural stride during your workout. If you want to give yourself a bit more of a challenge, however, you might want to put your arms in motion.
Putting Your Arms in Motion
By putting your arms in motion, you can burn off more calories while also potentially correcting neck or shoulder problems that you may have developed. To accomplish this effectively, try implementing the following steps:
• Keep your arms close to your body
• Bend your arms so they are at a 90 degree angle
• Keep your shoulders relaxed
• Move your arms back and forth so they are moving in the opposite direction of your legs
You should keep your arm movements fairly short, which means your hands should not come up beyond your nipples. At the same time, focus on moving your arms quickly in order to get your legs to move faster and so you can burn off even more of those unwanted calories.
