How Treadmills Contribute to NBD

When I tell people that treadmills are not good, they either look at me like I'm crazy, or they'll tell me that I'm crazy. But there's a very simple explanation as to why treadmills don't work. They don't simulate real running, and therefore they cause NBD (I will talk about NBD later).

Running is a very simple activity, meaning that there is not many movements that need to happen in order for you to run. The job of running begins in the hips. Each hip goes into flexion and then into extension. Running is just flexion-extension-flexion-extension over and over again for miles. When your leg is behind your torso, that hip is in extension. When your leg is in front of you, that hip is in flexion. If you have decent form, your "flexor" and "extensor" muscles will be balanced. Normal running will facilitate this balance to a certain extent.

When you run on a treadmill, something completely different happens. As you bring one leg from behind you to in front of you, you are using your hip flexors. On a treadmill you are still able to use these muscles. It is doing the other part of the motion when it becomes flawed. When your foot strikes the treadmill, the belt automatically takes your leg back behind you, meaning that you don't use your "extensor" muscles. Your extensor muscles include your glutes and hamstrings. Treadmills allow for a good development of the front part of your hips and legs, but neglect the back part of your hips and legs.

What does this mean to you? Two things.

First: This imbalance gives you a faulty foundation. It's like building a skyscraper in quick sand. The spine needs a better foundation or pain and limitation will result.

Second: YOU WILL HAVE NO BUTT!!! Your gluteals (buttocks) are the largest muscles in your body. They are powerful, and designed to propel you forward when you are running. On a treadmill, you have no need for them, so they don't work. When they don't work, they atrophy. When they atrophy, they get small.

NBD (No Butt Disease) is 100% preventable. Get off the treadmill!

In health,
Chris Janke
www.FSTworkout.com