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