What is the point of a curved treadmill?

Was it a mistake at the treadmill factory? or was it a highly scientifically designed wonder? The curved treadmill is often found in gyms across the globe, and there is in fact good reason why.

Those who have never used the curved treadmill are often unaware that this piece of machinery is not motor powered, but instead uses the forces generated by the person using it, which is made more difficult as the user has to drag the treadmill backwards and up against gravity, due to it curving upwards at the back. This makes your running off the treadmill more efficient, as it is almost impossible to run on this treadmill without a smooth and efficient technique, utilising the body’s ability’s to extend the hip utilising the body’s posterior chain, particularly the glutes, and having a good rhythm and balance when running.

The curved treadmill also stops you from overstriding and hitting the ground with a hard strike as this will stop the treadmill from moving. This is beneficial to teach proper technique as overstriding when running slows you down, increases the risk of knee pain (particularly in the anterior part) and expends more energy than needed.

This is particularly beneficial if you struggle to engage your glutes, which often occurs in those who spend long periods sitting, if this sounds like you I would recommend performing mountain climbers and/or my personal favourite one-legged hip thrusts, before using the treadmill to prepare the glutes. You may also want to try to stretch the hip flexors, which are often tight from spending large amounts of time sitting, by elevating a leg on a chair and pushing into it so you fill a stretch in the hip flexor of the opposite leg, holding this for about 10 seconds, then switching legs.

I would recommend using the curved treadmill, particularly for beginner to intermediate runners and most athletes about once per week, for about 6 12-second sprints on it per session, and experienced runners can perform about 9 12-second sprints per session once every other week, as they usually have already perfected their form, but if you are experiencing great benefits from the curved treadmill you can perform it more often. Using the curved treadmill will almost undoubtedly improve sprint time and reduce the risk of injuries.