[pavelChe]

Alrighty ladies and gentlemen! I just got a treadmill for Christmas and I need help on a good routine for a first timer. I am trying to get into shape by next year. If anyone has an advice or knowledge they would like to share, I would love to hear it

[pKgGpUlF]

I'm no fitness guru by ANY means
but I always start at the bottom of difficulty and work up.

[Neitteloxesia]

It depends on what kind of shape you're in to begin with. Start out slow if your not use to exercise. Other than that it doesn't matter much. Find your target heart rate by age/tolerance and work towards that.

Next year is only a few days away - not sure that's a realistic goal

[CarmenSanches]

Yes we need more info really to help give any sort of advise. For example, your current level of running ability, your fitness level, what you want to achieve

[PhillipHer]

Yes we need more info really to help give any sort of advise. For example, your current level of running ability, your fitness level, what you want to achieve

Uh . . . YEAH!!! What he said

[joanbertis]

By next year I mean, this time next year...December '09. When I say beginner...I mean a very poor runner and way out of shape. Basically if you can think of America Fererra in Real Women have Curves...that's basically me but 5'10". I hope that helps. I am thinking of waking up every morning and taking it slow...basically starting with walking and gradually working up to running.

[HowardtheDuck]

Well first I'd say that you've taken a good step in deciding to get fit. YAY you

Next don't put yourself under pressure if it's some time since you've run, or you haven't before. There's no need to even run at first, build it up, maybe do some fartlekking (sounds rude...isn't) on there....which can be walking then running then walking and so on.

You're really just looking to build your stamina up and get those muscles used to you moving in that way again at first.

So maybe do five minutes walking as part of your stretching and then a five minute light run and then walk again to start with. Frankly anything is better than what you've been doing if that's nothing!!

Don't worry, at this stage, about putting an incline on it or on your speed, just concentrate on building up your distance and time gradually.

Oh and don't be shocked if you step off the treadmill and go road running if your muscles hurt like a mother after! A treadmill tends to work different muscles to road running, which was a nasty shock to me and my achilles one year!!

And good luck