Intro/ Running Posture

Mike_K · 03-May-05, 01:05 AM

Hi all. Quick intro and a question. First off, my name is Mike. Feb 7th of this year I weighed 265lbs with a BMI of 36%. Roughly 3 months later I'm down to 230lbs with a BMI of 24% so I'm happy with where things are going.

So that's my story; now my question. I do most of my cardio on an elliptical as the treadmill tends to be a little to high impact for my knees. I've been told that tightening your shoulder and leaning forward is something to avoid but I've never been told why. I find myself doing this a lot, especially when raising the intensity for a few minutes. Is this a health concern or is the exercise just less efficent when done like this?

**threenorns** · 03-May-05, 07:33 AM

not only is it a health concern AND an efficiency concern, but it's a motivational concern.

when you tighten up and lean forward, you reduce the intensity of the exercise - similar to hugging the console on the stairclimber: you're reducing the weight load. you are also restricting the movement of your ribcage, so you have to pant and gasp to get enough air, rather than breathing smoothly in through your nose and out through your mouth. finally, it'll cause tension, pain, and eventually soft tissue irritation through your neck and shoulders and who wants to work out if it's going to hurt?

Mike_K · 03-May-05, 11:06 AM

Understood. So even though I'm upping the resistance I'm effectively hurting myself and not working any harder? I think that's a pretty clear case for straightening my posture!

**threenorns** · 03-May-05, 11:50 AM

got it in one!

AARS · 03-May-05, 11:51 AM

You are correct. Try using the treadmill at a incline while walking around 3mph. It's alot eaiser on the knees and can get your heart going too.
Good luck Mike, I was a couple pounds heavier than you when I started, and I can tell you for a fact that it can be done, and kept off.
Oh, and welcome to the board.

Mike_K · 03-May-05, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threenorns

got it in one!

The only thing I know is that I know nothing. That's why I'm here.

Quote:

Good luck Mike, I was a couple pounds heavier than you when I started, and I can tell you for a fact that it can be done, and kept off.
Oh, and welcome to the board.

That's good to hear. It's been exciting so far. I hope I can be as successfull with the training as I've been with the weightloss. Time will tell.

**threenorns** · 03-May-05, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_K

The only thing I know is that I know nothing. That's why I'm here.

but it's so refreshing to have someone get the point and not come back with a hundred and twelve reasons why it just doesn't apply to them or it just won't work!