Cardio: The easy way out

[MattyA]

What do you think of people who hold on while walking or running on the treadmill? Why do people do it? I keep telling my girlfriend that holding on is a crutch and does not give you an effective workout. Am I right?? Its not like you walk or run with your arms extended out in front of you. It is not a natrual movement. Your opinions please.

Thanks

 

[CrimsonKing]

agreed .. holding on help take some of stress away from the legs. I've done it at times to catch my breath after a hard interval but mostly you want to not hold on.

 

[grlpwrd]

Yeah, it's like going thru the motions without any benefits. If the people who regularly do this stop they will definitely see and feel more results. This is along the lines of if you keep doing what you're doing you're going to keep getting what you get or something to that effect.

 

[SofaGeorge]

But then there are guys like me -

If I don't hold on my mind starts to wander...and before you know it I'm doing the banana peel routine on the treadmill.

I agree you get a better workout if you don't hold on, but I haven't found a way to keep focused for 40 minutes...so I hold on so that I don't go flying into the mirrors.

 

[Ffactor]

I agree with sofa george, when I'm on the cross training or eliptical machine I hold on or else I might lose balance. On the treadmil when I am running I don't. Depends on the machine.

 

[MattyA]

I agree with you guys, but on the treadmill you should not hold on because that is not a natural motion of the body. You do not walk or run with your arms 3 feet in front of you...correct? Why should you hold on on the treadmill. It is basically the same thing. The elliptical should be the only exception because it is hard to balance yourself in the beginning but over time you should develop a natural running motion on the elliptical so you won't need to hold on.

 

[circusgirl]

well when I do the elliptical I hold on as that way it measures my heart rate. But I make sure it's a light grasp - no leaning.

 

[spatts]

I agree with Matty A...on biomechanical grounds.

 

[erickthegreat11]

"You keep doin' what you done, you'll always get what you always got........Uh, could that be nothin'?" according to Aerosmith.