Treadmills are undoubtedly the best exercise equipment for beginners. This is also what most beginning runners start with and there’s a good reason for that. Treadmills allow you to run at a speed of your choice while still getting your body adjusted to the motion.
Running on a treadmill will help you develop the basic sprinting mechanics, so when you’re ready to hit the streets, you’ll be able to run longer distances without tiring out your legs.
Treadmill jogging speed is a topic that gets many people confused. Since there are so many variables to take into consideration, it can be overwhelming for many people.
This article was created to give you some guidelines on finding the best treadmill jogging speed for your needs/goals.
What Speed is Considered Jogging on a Treadmill?
The answer to this question is not as simple as you might think. To find the perfect speed, there are a few things that need to be considered such as your fitness level, goals, and running experience.
For beginners who have never run before or are starting from scratch, it’s best to start slow. A good rule of thumb would be to set the treadmill at a pace where you can still hold a conversation without being out of breath.
Once you get more comfortable with the motion and build up your endurance, you can gradually increase the speed until you reach your desired goal pace.
As for experienced runners who are using treadmills for training purposes, figuring out what jogging speed is right for them will take some trial and error. Start by setting the machine at a moderate pace and see how your body feels after running for about 20 minutes.
If you feel like you could’ve gone faster or pushed yourself harder without getting winded, then slightly increase the speed next time around until you find that “sweet spot” where challenge meets comfortableness.
What Speed Should I Put the Treadmill at for Jogging?
Now that we know how to find the perfect treadmill speed for jogging, let’s dig a little deeper and talk about some guidelines. Remember, these are only suggestions and what works best for you might be different than what works best for someone else.
At a bare minimum, most people should be able to walk on a treadmill at around 3 miles per hour (mph). This is considered a light jog or slow run. For those who want to increase their speed without overdoing it, 4 mph is still considered walking/jogging but at a faster pace.
5 mph is where things start to get challenging but doable for most people. Anything beyond that is usually reserved for experienced runners who have been running regularly for an extended period.
The takeaway message here is this; there’s no “right” answer when it comes to choosing the perfect treadmill speed because everybody has different needs/goals. Just make sure you start slow and gradually work your way up as you become more comfortable with the machine and build up your endurance levels!
Treadmill Benefits
1. They’re perfect for beginners
Treadmills are great for people who have never run before or are starting from scratch. The biggest benefit is that you can control the speed, so you can start slow and gradually increase the intensity as your body becomes more adjusted to the motion.
2. They help improve your running form
Running on a treadmill will help you develop proper sprinting mechanics which in turn will make you a better runner when you hit the streets.
3. You can vary your workouts
One of the best things about treadmills is that there are endless possibilities when it comes to mixing up your workouts. Whether it’s changing speeds, adding incline, or increasing duration, there’s always something new you can do to keep things interesting!
4. They’re great for all seasons
Treadmills are a great way to stay in shape no matter what time of year it is. If it’s too cold outside or you don’t feel like braving the elements, just head indoors and get your workout in without having to worry about the weather!
5. You can multitask
Since you’re stuck in one place while running on a treadmill, many people use this as an opportunity to catch up on some reading or watching TV.
6. They’re relatively low impact
Running is a high-impact exercise, but because treadmills have a moving belt, the impact on your joints is significantly reduced.
7. They’re convenient
Treadmills are one of the most popular pieces of cardio equipment at gyms for a reason; they’re very user-friendly and don’t require much setup time.
8. You can track your progress
Most modern treadmills come equipped with digital displays that show you things like speed, distance, calories burned, etc… This feedback can be extremely motivating and help you stay on track with your fitness goals!
Conclusion
If you don’t know your running speed, then doing research and calculating it can help you in picking the best speed for treadmill jogging. This process is also crucial if you plan on increasing your jogging pace in the future.
Using a treadmill pace calculator will allow you to pick that pace with confidence, knowing that it’s realistic and doesn’t involve any extreme sprinting speeds.
Once you can find the running speed that you are comfortable with and can maintain, stick to it. If your workout is more than 30 minutes, gradually increase your speed to be able to take on longer endurance.
