There are many reasons to run or walk on a treadmill. It may be a way to get a workout in when the weather particularly awful, or bad knees may not be able to take a pounding, or the person exercising just likes to watch television while working out. However, working out on a treadmill is not the same as working out outside. This week I am going to talk about some common treadmill mistakes.

The third mistake: Not letting go of the handrails.

Grabbing the handrails is easy, and it makes your workout easier. The problem arises from the fact that you are then supporting your body weight with your arms, which does not elevate your heart rate and basically means you will be wasting your time.

The first treadmill mistake is that people take it too easy. When you use the handrails on a treadmill, calorie consumption is cut and you wind up taking it easier than you might believe you are.

The second treadmill mistake makes it more likely that you will hurt yourself. If the treadmill is moving faster than you think it is based on your effort, you may get surprised and twist or turn or let go and find yourself hurting yourself this way, as well.

You often see people holding onto the handrails of the treadmills at the gym. If you are checking your pulse (and your treadmill supports that), then that is fine. Just let go once you have the number you are looking for. Otherwise, you are better off not using them at all.