Now that winter is here, many of us will be running on a treadmill instead of being outdoors. This means that there will be a difference and we will have to make the necessary changes in order for the workouts to be as effective as running outdoors.

Here are some tips for running on a treadmill that will help you immensely when you move your training indoors.

• Make sure that when you are using the treadmill, your posture is upright. You may find this posture difficult to maintain in the beginning. When you are running outdoors, you automatically have a forward lean but you do not need this lean when using a treadmill. If you lean forward while running on a treadmill, you will increase the stress on your knees.

• Make sure that the treadmill has a slight incline as this will simulate outdoor running. When the treadmill is kept at zero degree incline, it will be flat and you will just be running to keep up with the treadmill and it will have less effect on your legs. By keeping a slight incline, you will be simulating the forward thrust that you need for outdoor running.

• When running on a treadmill, make a conscious effort to run on the center line of the belt. Most runners find treadmill training boring so they tend to watch television or listen to music. This can easily distract them and they drift off from the center of the treadmill causing serious injuries to themselves. This is something you do not have to worry when running outdoors but you do have to pay attention to when you are on a treadmill.

• When training on a treadmill, it is quite easy to get dehydrated quickly. This is primarily due to the indoor heating and lack of wind factor. Winter heating makes the air dry and this can cause you to lose fluids very quickly. In addition, there is not wind generated when you are running on a treadmill and this means that there is no cooling effect. This leads to more perspiration and faster dehydration.

By Pauline Go

Using elliptical exercise equipment is a great way to stay in shape. These machines are awesome workout partners for people who experience knee or hip pain, as well as anybody who just wants a great cardio workout. So what separates them from a treadmill?

This is something many want to know. The main difference is that your knees and hips take a lot less pounding, as treadmills are known for causing wear and tear to your knees and joints over time.

Also, you can do an upper body workout at the same time as cardio, since they come with upper arms. If you don't want to take the time to work out the lower and upper body separately, this is ideal.

Most elliptical exercise equipment come with many options for changing the workout with elliptical machines, which is great because doing the same workout day after day can get very boring. Many ultimately give up because their motivation was so low, but you won't run into this problem when using these machines.

Of course, finding the right one can be a hassle, as with treadmills. Quite simply, some of them are not great quality, and you can end up spending a fortune for a machine that breaks down after a short time.

It's no secret that elliptical exercise equipment machines are quite expensive, and even if you get a cheaper one you will still be shelling out at least several hundred bucks; therefore finding the right one is critical.

Sp how can you choose the best machine out there? The first thing to look for is the price. Assuming you are looking for a well built machine, you will have to pay a minimum of eight hundred dollars for a new one.

The fact is, most machines selling for less than this are simply not going to stand the test of time, as they will not be well built. It's not uncommon for people to spend several hundred dollars on a new machine, thinking they got a great bargain, and then have it break down after several months.

The elliptical exercise equipment they just bought ends up becoming nothing more than an expensive clothes rack. Therefore, you will have to buy another one, and considering the several hundred dollars you just wasted on the first one, you could end up paying tons more than you originally had to if you had just paid the money in the first place.

Here are a few quick final tips when using them to get the most out of your workout. First, make sure your posture is right when using it, and this means keeping your shoulders back, and your head held up and staring dead ahead. Make sure to keep a loose grip on the handles.

Don't do too many jerky start up and stops when working out, and don't change your pace consistently. Instead, attempt to go at a continuous speed, which lowers the possibility of injury and helps you get the most out of your workout.

Too many jerky movements worsen your technique and reduce the elliptical exercise equipment's effectiveness.

By Jake Manning