Buzz
Gyms are like playgrounds, filled with various exciting equipment and machines. But is it weird, wrong, or embarrassing to go to a gym just to use one specific machine? The simple treadmill? Rest assured, that's a completely normal way to use the gym.
There’s no need to use every facility in the gym
Just because a gym has cardio, weights, classes, and a sauna all under one roof doesn’t mean you have to try them all during every visit. I’ve previously mentioned that it’s okay to go just for the sauna (perfect for a recovery day), and similarly, it’s perfectly fine to go just for the treadmill.
I assure you, you're definitely not the only person who visits the gym just for the treadmill. There are beginners who haven’t ventured beyond the treadmill because they're still building the confidence to try the weight room. Some people alternate between lifting on Mondays and Wednesdays, while running on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then, there are the dedicated runners who rely on the childcare room to get their workout done on busy days. I can almost guarantee there are many others who head to the gym solely to jog for a bit and leave.
I’m one of those people, actually. While I’m a member of a specialized weightlifting gym, I eventually fell for the treadmill and ended up joining an affordable commercial gym just a few blocks away from my place. It’s great having a convenient indoor option for running without the hassle of buying and storing a treadmill at home.
Consider it like renting a treadmill
Don’t think of it as signing up for a gym while ignoring all the other facilities. Instead, think of it as paying a monthly fee for a treadmill that conveniently vanishes when you’re not using it.
Imagine paying $14.99 a month for a membership at your local Crunch or Planet Fitness. With it, you could use a $9,949 Star Trac treadmill, or perhaps a $6,709 Life Fitness treadmill. If you wanted one of these machines in your home, you’d have to spend the equivalent of nearly 500 months of gym memberships. So, when you ask if it’s worth it, the answer is mathematically yes. For $15 a month, someone else handles the maintenance and storage, and you still have access to it whenever you want. It’s a great deal.
Even if the treadmill isn't part of your daily routine, the fee might still be worth it for the convenience of being able to run indoors when the weather is unbearable—whether it's scorching heat and humidity, an orange alert for poor air quality, or icy sidewalks in the dead of winter that make outdoor running dangerous.
That being said, running or walking alone doesn't provide a full-body workout.
Perhaps your hesitation to use the treadmill stems from how it fits into your exercise plan. Do you only run or walk? It's important for your health to incorporate some strength training into your routine. Both cardio and strength are vital for overall fitness and daily well-being. However, if you prefer to do your strength exercises elsewhere, that's perfectly fine. The treadmill will be here whenever you need it.
