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W inter can be a huge test on any
athlete’s resolve, especially when
work needs to be done and a good
foundation laid. Yet January is a great time to
build some solid consistency and strength.
The treadmill gets a bad rap. But this is a
crucial piece of training equipment for triathletes
and runners alike. Some of my athletes decry
that the treadmill is boring, before they’ve even
given it a try. I respectfully disagree. Athletes that
just run on the treadmill without a clear plan or
session will indeed find the minutes ticking away
slowly. But my objective this month is to
introduce you to a treadmill session that you’ll
enjoy, and one that’ll give you a variety of
physical benefits.
The aim of the session isn’t only to build
strength but also to get the legs turning over
quickly, both of which are important skills to have
in your arsenal if you wish to improve your run.
Here’s why I’m a huge fan of the treadmill…
Consistency – You can easily measure your
fitness improvements from week-to-week.
The treadmill provides a consistent training
environment that makes collecting data (i.e.
your heart rate at a certain pace/speed) and
comparing it with similar sessions a doddle.
No Hiding – The treadmill forces the athlete
to concentrate and focus on the session at hand
with minimal distraction. This is fantastic not
only for the physical benefits, but also for
improving mental toughness.
Form – The treadmill encourages faster
turnover (fast feet) and, with many treadmills
positioned in front of a mirror, it forces the
athlete to concentrate on form and body position,
especially as the athlete becomes fatigued.
Ticks the boxes – The treadmill can, and should,
be used throughout the year. The great benefit it
offers is that it doesn’t only improve leg turnover
(speed sessions) but also strength, with the
use of the incline. Yes, there’s nothing quite like
running outside but the benefits the treadmill
has to offer are difficult to ignore. Q 220
The treadmill forces the athlete to concentrate
and focus on the session at hand with minimal distraction
Don’t let the dreary winter months derail your summer aspirations, now’s the time
to build strength and consistency. Enter the treadmill, says Spencer Smith
HITTHETREADMILL,
BUILDSTRENGTH
TRAIN FOR 2017: PART 4 OF 6
98 I I FEBRUARY 2017
PERFORMANCE
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There are a myriad of benefits to
treadmill training, such as being able to
train consistently and focus fully on form