[kim150]

hi girls!
i love the wt training discussions here...i have a basic ...cheap walmart...machine that has really been great, and a backpack full of driveway gravel (for squats) and some other bottles and bags of gravel for curls, etc...you guys started me on my wt training...i had more improvements in my shape after 2 months than 2 yrs of running 10-15 miles per week...you guys ROCK!!!

anyway, enough gushy thankyou stuff...
when i cardio on the treadmill, i want to start mixing it up, walking with the incline feature....what do i watch for? if i get a knee or shin 'injury' and have to rest for 3 wks, i will be devastated.....i want to push, get max results, but i dont want an injury...any veterans with incline do's and don't's???
kim

[Mel]

Hi Kim Nice to "see" you

Very inventive gym equipment you've got there

As for inclines and speeds, I'd just say try it gradually. If you've never used an incline before, try it at 1-2% a few times before you bump it up. I've never really heard of anyone getting injuries that required more that a rest day or two from overdoing inclines, but if you do have pre-existing knee problems it may be better to take it gradually. If you can walk uphill or up a flight of stairs without getting hurt, I can't see how bumping it up to 5% would hurt you as long as you have good shoes, but take it cautiously if you are concerned.

I'm glad to hear that your weight training is paying off and we've been helpful. Come on and jump into the weekly thread, we don't bite

Mel