How to Start Running On a Treadmill – 6 Treadmill Workouts for Beginners

Looking for the best guidelines on how to start running on a treadmill?

Then you have come to the right place.

Here’s the truth. the treadmill is thee best way to get into the world of running without risking injury or burnouts. How come? Keep on reading.

In today’s post, I’m sharing with you the essential treadmill workout guidelines you need to get started with indoor running.

By the end of this beginner guide to treadmill running, you’ll learn:

• How to use the treadmill
• The benefits of treadmill running
• The exact treadmill running gear you need
• How to take your first steps on the machine
• How to stay motivated when treadmill running
• The Treadmill running apps you need
• The exact treadmill workout for beginners
• Advanced treadmill workouts to try
• And so much more.

Sounds great?

Let’s press the start button and get started!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I’d use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

How to Start Running On a Treadmill –  The Benefits

Here’s what you stand to gain from hitting the belt more often.

Less Impact

Running on hard surfaces, like asphalt and concrete, increases the risks of overuse injury.

However, the treadmill belt offers extra cushioning that helps absorb much of this stress.

Forget About the Outdoor Conditions

Outdoor running exposes you to the elements, be it the weather, unsafe streets, uneven surfaces, etc.

All of these can stand in the way of your running success.

Luckily,  you don’t have to worry about any of this when treadmill running.

Simulate the Race

Preparing for a race?

A treadmill can help you nail your perfect pace.

For example, if you are planning for a hilly 10K race, you can simulate that racing experience by incline training or even intervals on the treadmill.

Additional Source – Check this treadmill pace chart

Safer Than Running Outside

You can always run into troubles when doing outdoor running workouts: cracks, ruts, cyclists, cars, people, thieves, stray dogs, the wrong side of town, you name it.

Again, a treadmill can help you sidestep all of these risks.

Privacy

Dealing with insecurities?

Worry no more.

Hopping on the treadmill gives you more privacy as you don’t have to fret about anyone judging your performance.

You can run at your own pace and call it to quit anytime you want.

Measurable Data

On a treadmill, you have a say on your training conditions, helping you run with more accuracy, whether it’s speed, incline, calories burned, heart rate, step count, and so on.

Beginner Treadmill Workout
FAQ

Before we get into how you actually can get started with treadmill running, let’s address some of the most common questions beginner runners have about the treadmill.

How Fast Should I train on the Treadmill As A Beginner?

The answer depends on your current fitness level.

If you’re a sedentary, overweight, 50 years+ beginner, you’re not going to be faster then you once were.

But if you’re already in a good shape, exercise often, and are young, you should be able to crank up the pace  (check out the beginner treadmill routines below for more details).

If you can get to 5 mph or higher as a beginner, that would be terrific.

This will provide you more room for growth while upping your heart rate and pushing your body out of your comfort zone.

Just keep in mind that five miles per hour is the equivalent of a 12-minute mile.

Not bad at all for someone who’s just starting out.

Here’s a cheat sheet so you can have more ideas about your per-mile pace.

• 5.0 mph = 12:00 minutes per mile
• 5.5 mph = 10:55 minutes per mile
• 6.0 mph = 10:00 minutes per mile
• 6.5 mph = 9:14 minutes per mile
• 7.0 mph = 8:34 minutes per mile
• 7.5 mph = 8:00 minutes per mile
• 8.0 mph = 7:30 minutes per mile

How long Should a Beginner Train on a Treadmill?

Again, the answer depends on you.

Every beginner is different and has a different starting point.

Just do as much as you can in the beginning while staying within your fitness level and paying attention to your body’s needs and signals the entire time.

For a complete beginner, you can start off treadmill training at a slow pace for no more than 15 to 20 minutes three times a week.

Then slowly increase the duration to 30 to 40 minutes over the course of a few week.

Here’s how many miles to run per week as well as  how often should you run per week.

Treadmill Vs. Outdoor Running – Is treadmill running easier than running outdoors?

The answer is not all black or white.

But overall, running on the treadmill is less challenging than running outdoors for many reasons.

When treadmill running, the ground is moving underneath you, making it easier to run faster.

That’s one reason many runners find that their treadmill pace and speed don’t correlate to their outdoor running pace.

What’s more?

When you’re running outdoor, you’re also dealing with the elements and weather conditions, especially wind and heat.

This can make outdoor running more taxing as you have to deal with a lot of resistance.

But on the treadmill, you’re in a controlled environment that’s intentionally designed to make you as comfortable as possible.

It’s also recovery friendly.

For those who just had injury or accident, they don’t need to worry about the ground.

It’s perfectly stable and sturdy.

A beginner runner? Try this couch to 5K plan.

How long should you run on a treadmill to lose weight?

If you’re looking to lose weight, especially if you’re really out of shape and/or embarrassed to run in public, the treadmill is exactly what you need.

How long should you train on it depends on you, but I’d recommend that you shoot for at least three 30 to 45 minutes sessions per week 

Wht’s more?

Keep in mind that exercise is only half the battle when it comes to losing weight—the other half being diet.

So, if you train often, and eat clean, you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be able to lose weight and keep it off for good.

How To Start Running on A Treadmill
For Beginners?

To make the most out of your treadmill workouts, try to incorporate these two valuable training tips.

Know Your Treadmill

Taking your first few steps on the treadmill can be quite unnerving.

But it’s no rocket science.

In case you have never used a treadmill before and don’t even know how to turn one on, here are the basics:

First, the “Start Workout” or “Quick Workout” button.

Hold the handrails, step onto the belt, simply press this button, and in 3…2…1, the belt will start to move.

The belt will start at a slow walking speed, and it’s up to you to play with speed.

Keep in mind that you may feel wobbly or dizzy when you use a treadmill for the first time—as if you were going to slide back or lean forward.

Don’t panic.

You’re practicing a new motor skill, and it will take a few sessions to feel at ease.

Next, familiarize yourself with the speed controls, the incline/decline options, the “Stop” and the emergency stop mechanism, as well as the programming controls.

Of course, not all treadmills are made equal.

Some are simple and often come with minimal options (think hotel treadmill) while other more fancy treadmill offers a more complicated user interface.

But the basics are still the same: Start/Speed/Stop.

The Right Treadmill Workout Gear

Getting the right treadmill training gear is the first step.

Start by training in proper running shoes.

Of course, you won’t need specific shoes just for the treadmill

(although I’d recommend you do that, so you can still use the same running shoes for indoor and outdoor running— just make sure they are clean ).

As a rule, your running shoes have to fit well, which is why I always advise buying shoes from a specialty running store (here’s is how to make your shoes last longer).

Just like you’d choose proper clothing for outdoor runs, your treadmill runs deserve the same attention.

You also need comfortable wicking underwear. Don’t go for fancy cotton clothes. They won’t cut. They can cause more harm than good—and you don’t want that. I can assure you.

Female runners should also choose a sports bra that hold their chest securely in place.

Shirt

Choose a lightweight tank for treadmill running. Make sure it’s made from high performance, moisture wicking fabrics to help wick moisture away from your body, keeping you dry and comfortable in the process. Avoid wearing cotton clothing. More than likely, indoor running will make you sweat a lot. And all that sweat will stick to your clothes, causing all sorts of troubles, when wearing cotton fabrics.

To avoid at all times.

Here’s the full guide to proper running gear.

Keep hydrated

Remember to keep your body well hydrated when running on the treadmill. You’ll be shedding a lot of fluids through sweat.

When running on the treadmill for more than 30 minutes, it’s key to drink water to stay hydrated.

As a general rule, drink about four to six ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes.

For indoor running, I’d recommend Hydro Flask’s stainless-steel bottles. Check this reasonably priced water bottle at amazon’s.

I’d recommend the Hydro Cell Stainless Steel Water bottle.

Cooling Fan

Last but not least, if you find yourself sweating more than usual when indoor running (or don’t have proper air conditioning), consider setting up a cooling fan. Sure, some treadmills have a build-in fan, but they tend to be less than powerful and effective.

Plus they only blow air at your face, ignoring the rest of your body. That ain’t good at all.

In addition, expect to sweat a lot—even if it’s cold outside—so get yourself a towel to wipe your arms, hands, and face as needed. You should also check out this guide on belt replacement.

Warm-Up For Your Treadmill Workout

Just like outdoor running, the key effective treadmill training is a proper warm-up.

Skipping it will only increase the risks of premature fatigue and injury.

A good warm-up helps you get your blood pumping and heart rate ticking and be for the hard effort ahead.

Invest in at least 5 to 10 minutes warm-up period, then aim to slowly increase your speed as you go, but never speed up to the point that your form begins to suffer.

Pay attention to your body before you speed up.

Partner Up

Just as it’s more enjoyable to pound the pavement in the company of others, the same is true for treadmill running.

In fact, pairing up with a workout partner can turn long treadmill runs into a social hour—or two.

In case you couldn’t find a willing partner, then, at the very least, call a friend or enlist a family member to keep you company.

Additional resource – How to combine keto and running

Visualize a Route

Another trick to help you avoid the dreadmill is to visualize an outdoor route you like running on.

Imagine your favorite outdoor route and pretend that you are on it, running by certain landmarks, and play with the incline to simulate elevation change.

Your brain already has storage of good running memories, and by using active visualization, you’re tapping into that valuable resource and using it to your advantage.

If you have difficulties visualizing, look for pictures on Google images for pristine running routes and imagine yourself tackling them.

Listen to Music

Think of running with music as a dissociative strategy.

It helps take your focus off of what’s ahead.

Also, listening to music while exercising can reduce the perception of exertion and boost endurance by up to 10 to 15 percent.

Pick a playlist with a nice uplifting beat—shoot for the 120-160 bpm range.

Not a fan of music?

Then turn to audiobooks or podcasts.

Some of my current favorites include The Joe Rogan Experience, Embedded, The Rubin Report, etc.

Watch TV

Visual is always the best distraction.

This is why when you run.

n with TV on, it’s more fun and hassle-free

Go for shows you don’t have to be too involved in and would rarely let yourself sit around and watch.

I won’t watch the walking dead finale on the treadmill.

Need some good ideas?

Here’s a list of my favorite shows:

• How I met Your Mother
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Casa De Papel
• Stranger Things
• Daredevil
• Into the Badlands
• Preacher
• Supernatural

Additional resource – Here’s your guide to buying a second hand treadmill.

Treadmill Running Apps For beginners

No matter your running goals are, there’s probably an app for that.

You can find plenty of cheap apps for different running goals that you can download to make your training more exciting.

Need distraction? There’s an app for that!

Need motivation? There’s an app for that!

Need inspiration? There’s an app for that!

Need more structure for your training?

There’s an app for that.

See, there’s an app for almost any running goal or desire.

My best recommendation?

The following:

• Nike + Run Club. This app provides you with more than 50 guided runs, with over six sessions specifically tailored for the treadmill. The running sessions are roughly 20 to 30 minutes in length and come with audio instructions.
• Treadmill Trails. If you dread indoor running, then feel free to head outside in the virtual world with this app. Treadmill trails routes take you everywhere from Central Park in New York to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• Peloton Digital. In this app, you can choose from more than 170 Tread Studio live and on-demand running classes that can go from 15 to 60 minutes in duration and cover everything from speedwork to race pace training.
• Studio. Another great app that offers treadmill classes that can last 15 to 60 minutes and work great for beginners runners as well as those training for the 11^th
• Couch to 5K. Are you a complete running beginner? This app is for you. The Couch to 5K provides you with the exact training plan you need to go from a complete newbie to being able to run a 5K in 8 weeks or less. Pretty amazing!
• Zombies Run! You can turn you run into a virtual game with the app Zombies, Run!. This app turns your treadmill workout into a story about surviving a zombie attack.

Additional resource – How to start running at 50

Treadmill Running Form

Treadmill running form is essential.

Bad form hinders performance and leads to injury.

Keep your treadmill running technique in check by doing the following:

• Run tall and look straight ahead as if gazing to the horizon.
• Aim to run with your natural gait, and avoid taking short and quick strides as well as thumping the belt too hard. No good for your sole and ankle.
• Keep your posture straight, the head should be up, back straight, and shoulders level.
• Never slouch or curve your back, especially when going against an incline. Open your chest, make space for more air.
• Let go of the handrails and keep pumping your arms the same way you do when running outside.

how to start running on a treadmill – 6 Treadmill Workouts For
Beginners

Now that know the basics of safe and efficient treadmill running for beginners, let’s look at a few treadmill beginner workouts.

If you’re not sure how to proceed with your next treadmill workout, here are six treadmill runs to get you started.

Routine I – The 30-minutes Beginner Treadmill Workout

If you’re taking up running for the first time, then start with this routine.

This beginner treadmill routine will have you perform intervals of slow jogging interspersed with walking breaks for recovery.

First step –Start walking at a 1.5 to 2 mph pace and stick to it for at least 10 minutes.

Be sure to breathe deeply and visualize success all the way through.

Mental preparation is key.

Second Step – Pick up the pace and start jogging at 5 to 5.5 mph for two minutes.

This is your first interval, so you shouldn’t push yourself here.

Practice good running form the entire time.

Run as tall as you can, engage your core, let go of the handrails, and swing your arms by the sides.

Keep your form aerodynamic,

Third Step – This is your first two minutes break, so make the most out of it.

Breathe deeply, towel off, and hydrate.

Fourth Step – Repeat the jogging/walking cycle for five times.

If it feels too much, pace yourself and slow it down, especially when your form starts to suffer.

Fifth Step –Slowly decrease your jogging pace and start walking at 2 mph for five minutes and cool down properly.

Breathe deeply and release all tension.

Make sure to also check in with your body and see how you feel.

Try to perform this workout at least three times per week during the first few weeks.

Then, as you get fitter and stronger, increase the time you spend jogging and less for recovery until you can run at a comfortable pace for 30 minutes without gasping for air.

Want more structure? Try my Couch to 5K treadmill Plan.

Routine II – The 30-minute Interval treadmill workout

Already a runner?

Then try this more challenging routine.

First Step – Warm-up for 5-minute by jogging slowly and taking deep breaths.

Skipping on the warm-up leads to premature fatigue, or even worse, injury.

Second Step – Run at your 5K pace (it should feel hard) for one to two minutes, depending on your fitness level.

Third Step – Recover by jogging slowly for one full minute.

Fourth Step – Repeat “Second Step” and “Third Step” five to eight times, depending on your fitness experience and training goals.

Fifth Step – End your workout a 5-minute slow jog to cool down.

Stretch gently afterward.

A proper cool-down will help you avoid dizziness and might reduce muscle soreness for the following day.

Additional Resource- Your guide to curved treadmills

Routine III – The Incline Treadmill Workout

Want to take intervals to the next level?  Do them on an incline.

This helps simulate outdoor hill running, which boosts endurance and builds killer lower-body strength.

First Step – Warm-up for 10 minutes.

Second Step – Increase the incline to 3 or 4 percent and run for 90-second at 80 percent of max-effort—a pace that feels moderately challenging.

Third Step (Recovery) – Jog for 60 seconds with no incline.

This is your recovery break.

Fourth Step – Raise the incline to five or seven percent and run for another 90-second at 15 seconds slower than your 10K pace.

Recover for one minute

Fifth Step – Repeat the previous step three to four times, depending on your fitness level and goals.

Choose a steeper incline for more challenge.

Sixth Step – Cool-down

Additional Resource  – When to replace a treadmill belt

Routine IV – The Beginner Tempo Treadmill Run

A treadmill tempo workout teaches your body how to efficiently adapt to increased intensity.

This type of running helps you build up a fairly high volume of intense exercise that enhances both aerobic and lactate-threshold systems.

First Step – Warm-up for 10 minutes.

Second Step – Run a mile at 20 to 30 seconds slower than your half-marathon pace—a pace that feels comfortably easy.

Third Step – Pick up the pace every mile by five to 20 seconds until you’re running the final mile 20 to 30 seconds faster than your half marathon pace.

Fourth step –  Cool-down for five minutes.

Additional resource – How To run with a partner

Routine V – The Pyramid Treadmill Workout

Pyramid workouts are straightforward.

You’re simply kicking off your hard interval at one-minute segments, going for to a longer running segment, and the working you’re back down one minute.

It should take you at least 50 minutes to complete the routine, but that’s not cast in stone.

Do what feels the best for you and remember to always stay within your fitness level.

First Step – Five minutes: The Warm-up

Start with a proper warm-up, jogging for 10 minutes at a speed of 4 to 5 mph with no incline.

Second Step –Seven minutes: 1st Ladder

Increase speed to 6.0 mph and keep it going for the next three minutes. Practice good form.

Keep your torso straight, and body relaxed from head to toe.

Next, increase speed to 7 mph and incline to three percent for four minutes.

Second Step – Two minutes: Recovery

Slow down and recover for three minutes.

Hydrate, breathe deeply, and release any built-up tension.

Third Step – Nine minutes: 2^nd Ladder Interval

Increase the speed to 7 mph and incline to three percent for four minutes.

Next, increase the speed again to 8 mph and incline to five percent for five minutes.

Fourth Step – Two Minutes: Recovery

Slow down to 4 mph with two percent incline.

Fifth Step – Nine minutes: 3^rd Ladder

Increase speed to 7 to 7.5 mph and incline to five percent and keep running strong for a full five minutes.

For the upcoming four-minute, keep the same speed, but lower the incline to three percent.

Sixth Step – Two minutes: Recovery

Slow down to 4 mph and recover.

Seventh Step – Six minutes: Ladder No 4

Speed it up to 8 mph and raise the incline to three percent.

Then, for the next two minutes, keep the same speed but raise the incline to five percent for the last interval of this pyramid workout.

Eighth Step – Five minutes: The cool-down

Jog slowly for ten minutes at a speed of 4 mph with no incline.

Additional resource – How to become a morning a runner

Routine VI – The Beginner Hybrid Treadmill Workout

Mixing treadmill training with bodyweight exercises can help you burn more fat, improve performance, and bust treadmill boredom.

Here is a CrossFit-Running treadmill workout.

It’s one of my favorites.

You can choose to add these bodyweight exercises into your treadmill workout any way you like.

After a proper warm-up of 5-minutes jogging and some dynamic exercises, do the following.

• Sprint for 30-second
• Pushups: 8-12 reps
• Sprint for 30-second
• Squat Jumps: 8-12 reps
• Sprint for 30-second
• Treadmill recovery: 90 seconds slow jogging.
• Sprint for 30-second
• Jumping jacks: 60 seconds
• Lunge steps: 16 to 20 reps
• Sprint for 30-second
• Finish it off with a 5-minute slow jog as a cool down, followed by stretching.

Need more structure?

Try my beginner running plan.

For more, check my how to design your running program guide.

Conclusion

Still wondering how to start running on a treadmill? Then I believe today’s post has you covered.

The above simple training guidelines are all you need start treadmill running.

The rest is really up to you.

Please feel free to leave your comments and questions in the section below.

And please if you have any treadmill workouts for beginners, please share.

In the meantime, thank you for reading my post.

Keep running strong.

David D.