It’s the most well-known and common piece of equipment in any gym, yet recent research suggests you might want to avoid the treadmill all together during your gym sessions, and here’s why (we’ve missed out the reason that it’s deathly boring, just so you know):

# 1. Lowers The Muscle Building Hormone Testosterone

According to research published in the Journal of American College Sports Medicine, evidence suggests men who participate in chronic endurance training display mild degrees of reproductive system abnormalities i.e. it detrimentally affects their twig and 2 berries. The major abnormalities noted are reduced resting levels of testosterone, altered pituitary release of luteinizing hormone and altered sperm characteristics. All in all not great news for guys since testosterone is a hormone involved in everything from muscle growth to libido.

# 2. Increases The Stress Hormone Cortisol

According to research conducted at the Laboratory of Motrice in France, ‘a catabolic tendency (breaking down muscle) occurs during a long distance run’ adding ‘cortisol levels can reach approximately 15-fold basal (normal) levels.’ (G.Lac and P. Berthon, 2000.) It does this since under stressful conditions cortisol provides the body with protein for energy production through gluconeogenesis, the process of breaking down the muscle and converting amino acids into useable carbohydrate (glucose) in the liver. Furthermore according to research conducted at the University of California, under stressful conditions cortisol can also move fat from storage depots and relocate it to fat cell deposits deep in the abdomen, a reason why high cortisol levels are associated with fat storage particularly around the stomach (E,S. Epel, et al, 2000) and if that’s not bad enough, it can also suppress the body’s immune system making you more susceptible to illness. Put simply this means you should avoid lengthy stints on the treadmill if you want to avoid a fat stomach, tiny biceps and a poor immune system. One way to effectively combat this catabolic break down of muscle and increase in fat is to supplement your workout with an intra-workout formula such as Exceed. Containing Branch Chain Amino Acids and the amino acid glutamine, studies show these not only help prevent the catabolic breakdown of muscle but also according to research at the Biomedical Research Centre at the University College of Dublin, such ingredients have also proved so effective they are actually used to treat patients with inflammatory conditions such as infection and injury. (540g of Exceed is available from Myprotein.com for £19.49.)  http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products/exceed

# 3. It Causes Injury

According to the Sports and Trauma Research Group at the University Hospital of Linköping, Sweden, runners of all distances are more prone to injury to compared to other forms of cardio such as swimming and cycling. ‘Hamstring strain and tendinitis were most common in sprinters, backache and hip problems were most common in middle-distance runners, and foot problems were most common in marathon runners.’ (Jack Lysholm, MD, PhD and Jorgen Wiklander, MPE, 1987.) So try avoiding the treadmill, put on your speedos and go for a swim instead. Since it’s far easier on your joints and burns just as many calories.