Today while I was at my fitness center I observed a few people exercising on the treadmill. About 50% of them were doing it wrong.

I approached one of them who was doing it wrong and asked him the question, “want to know how to burn 20% more calories on the treadmill?”

He was rather surprised I asked the question, but curious at the same time (I’m glad because sometimes people get offended, especially the maucho athletes, when you offer suggestions for improvement on their technique).

I told him you only have to make 1 minor adjustment while exercising on the treadmill. . .

Do not hold on to the hand rails while walking/running on the treadmill.

Holding on the handrails does not follow natural walking biomechanics and can set the stage for an injury. It can cause ballistic hip rotation, over-striding and forward posture, all of which is not natural nor safe. It is simply not an efficient way of exercising on the treadmill.

It’s better to focus on proper technique rather than jolting the incline and speed to a very high level, and then holding on to the hand rails just so you don’t fall off. Technique and proper form is always more important than intensity.

Not only is it safer, walking or running on the treadmill burns about 20% more calories for the same length of time.

Want proof? Use a heart rate monitor and test it out for yourself. Use the treadmill one day with the same variables (time, speed, incline) holding on the rails. And on another day, do the same workout but without holding the rails. You will notice a huge difference (about 20%) on the readout of your heart rate monitor watch for the amount of calories burned.

Do yourself a favor. Regardless of your age, fitness level, or weight, you must release your arms and walk/run the natural way on the treadmill.