Running is an awesome sport that supports physical and mental health. It is easy to do and requires little equipment — except a great pair of running shoes!
The Santa Clarita Valley is home to over 30 miles of paseos for running, plus dozens of nature trails in the surrounding area. The dry weather makes it easy to step out your door and hit a trail almost any day of the year.
The trouble with running is that you are usually your own coach. With only yourself to hold you accountable, it is easy to keep your runs comfortable, to the point of never improving.
The Paseo Club of Santa Clarita offers over 60 fitness and small group training classes every week. Treadmill Training is one of the most popular ones. This class is designed to help runners (and walkers) build strength, stamina, and endurance for improved health and better solo runs outdoors.
In this article, you will learn about treadmill training class, its benefits, and how it’ll help your progress on your outdoor runs.
What is the Treadmill Training class at the Paseo Club?
The Treadmill Training class is a small group training class led by Coach Jody Broz. The class size is 6-10 people, which helps all members get ample individualized attention.
This 45-minute-long class is a high-intensity interval training program. It involves a 10-minute warm-up, thirty minutes of sprint intervals, and 10 minutes of cooling down.
Treadmill Training is for beginner, intermediate, and advanced runners — even non-runners can attend and train by walking.
What are the benefits of the Treadmill Training class?
There are many benefits to adding treadmill training to your running schedule.
Safety
Running on the treadmill can be safer than running outside. You are in control of your run in an indoor environment. The terrain, speed, and incline remain the same — until you change it. There are no worries about broken sidewalks, curbs, potholes, traffic lights, or cars. The weather is always fine, and the treadmill room is well-lit, thus avoiding the risks of running in rainy, slippery terrain or the dark.
Hill Climbs
The treadmill allows you to vary the terrain — including selecting hills. Most runners will bypass a hill if they can. Treadmill training class always includes hills so you can face the challenge, build endurance, and get stronger. Plus, you will still see the cardiovascular results!
Lower Impact
Treadmill running is easier on the joints. The give of the belt is greater than the asphalt or concrete outside. There is also less vibration through the legs, which makes treadmill running easier.
Intensify your run workouts
You can increase your speed and incline to force your body to work harder when you run on the treadmill. You will slow or even shut down when you hit a wall running outdoors. A treadmill run can push you past your exhaustion point — you can’t just stop on the treadmill.
How does treadmill training help outdoor running?
Stepping outdoors for a run can be easy, quick, and convenient. But it can also be difficult to be consistent, to challenge yourself, and to progress in your skills.
Treadmill Training class helps you with all aspects of running. There are three primary ways that it boosts your outdoor runs.
1. Interval training
Treadmill Training features interval training. You practice quick, fast feet and run speeds greater than your normal pace. This type of training conditions the heart to adapt to longer slower runs. It is also a good way to lose weight if this is your goal.
2. Hill training
It can be difficult to find hills to run — and if they are found, it can be difficult to feel motivated to run them. The Treadmill Training class guides you to increase your incline, simulating hills. Running repeats on a hill builds muscle strength and cardio fitness. It is a quick and effective workout on the legs and the heart. This practice will help you run hills outdoors more comfortably and confidently.
3. Pacing
Running outside allows you to slow down and speed up as you want (or need) to. However, the treadmill won’t let you slow just because you are tired. Treadmills require you to set your speed, keeping you at a consistent pace. Selecting the pace and acclimating the body to stay in a zone for a specific period increases your overall fitness. This translates to you running faster for longer periods over greater distances during outdoor runs.
Final thoughts on Treadmill Training class boosting your outdoor runs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly. Treadmill Training class is an excellent option to help you meet this goal.
Treadmill Training will help you get stronger, have more endurance, and run faster. You will experience these improvements in class, on the paseos, and in other sports and workouts.
Coach Jodi is certified as a running coach from RRCA, a personal trainer with NCEP, a Balanced Body Level 1 Pilates reformer, group fitness, Schwinn Indoor Cycle, Barre, and Les Mills Body Pump Balance. Her class will keep you motivated and encouraged.
Treadmill Training is on Wednesdays from 7 to 7:45 pm. You can register today for one class or a series. Classes are $15-25 each, depending on your package purchase.
The Paseo Club is your place in the Santa Clarita Valley for health, fitness, and community. Train at the gym, work out in fitness class, or play a match on the courts. Enjoy all the club’s amenities — childcare, pro shop, spa, dining, and more!
Become a member of the Paseo Club today. It takes just minutes to sign up, and then you get instant access to all eight acres of the club. Train, socialize, and relax at the Paseo Club.
