Fear of treadmills.?

Question

Does any one else have a fear of falling off a treadmill to the extent that you are too scared to even get on the treadmill?

I have had this fear for ages, i need to use a treadmill because they are pretty good for workouts so if any one could offer advice on over coming my fear i will be very greatful.

Thanks in advance, Magic.

Answer 1

i have been scared of treadmills and also, escalators. i fear that after i get on them, they might start going fast and out of control and throw me off somewhere. i do get on escalators now. but i avoid them if i can. i managed to conquer treadmills though. i used to just put it in the lowest speed possible and ofcourse hold on the handle bars. after some time i got used to the thing. its not as bad as i thought it would be. :)

Answer 2

If you're so scared of treadmills, just go running outside!

Honestly, I never could understand why people would prefer to pay money to got to the gym, run in place for hours on a treadmill, with the same old boring scenery every time, like a hamster on a wheel, when you could just go outdoors for free. Maybe they just have acrophobia.

Ok, so maybe some people go to the gym to meet people......

Btw, here is a link to that treadmill dance video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeeR4Vnvs8U

If you are worried about safety. just make sure you go running at a time and place where there are likely to be other people around. or use a bike instead.

Good luck,
~Soylent Yellow

Answer 3

Well for a start, get on a treadmill but do not start the machine. Basically just get yourself used to the idea of being in contact or familiar with the machine on an alternate day basis. Slowly get a close friend to start the machine at the slowest speed so that you can get used to walk on the treadmill. As you continue to persist, you will get used to the idea of walking on the treadmill and u can start to increase to a slow jog speed and so on.


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Answer 4

Hmm.. very odd phobia! :)

No worries though. You should try getting on a treadmill at it's lowest speed. They can go very slow. Even if you had to fall of one at some point in life, it's not a big deal! You would only fall down on your bum :) Just get back on it like a child learning to ride bike without training wheels! Keep at it. Calm your fears by taking deep breaths.

Answer 5

Fear, Anxiety and Panic - Sensitive Subjects for Walkers
Sensitive subjects for walkers including exercise fears and anxiety. ... Off Weight Pedometer Walking Treadmills Beginners Fitness Walking & Workouts ...walking.about.com/library/weekly/aa042400o.htm - 32k - Cached - More from this site

Answer 6

No, not normal. I've never heard of anyone dying on a treadmill, or having to go to the hospital. People on the machines usually feel comfortable and don't trip easily.

Answer 7

Run outdoors instead!

Its much cheaper than a gym, stay away from running on roads - a park is perfect. Fresh air, more realistic than a treadmill, much more interesting.

I know personal saftey can be an issue, but like most things in life, if you are sensible, yuo will be fine.

Answer 8

I totally understand... a bad experience with a treadmill as a child makes me very wary of them. I use elliptical machines as an alternative - the fact that you control the speed, instead of the speed being controlled by an outside force gives a much safer feeling.

Answer 9

Watch OK Go's video - just search "treadmill dance" on YouTube. They make it look like so much fun that there's no way you can stay scared.

Answer 10

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