‘I’d actually be very embarrassed’: Woman says you’re probably using the treadmill wrong if you use the incline

It’s been about four years since influencer Lauren Giraldo introduced the “12-3-30” workout to the masses. Many still do the viral treadmill workout to this day. However, TikTok user Ellen (@larsonellen) says she noticed that many people at her gym who use the treadmill’s incline feature can not only damage the equipment, but also have an ineffective workout.

After a four-year hiatus from the gym, TikToker Ellen (@larsonellen) from Minneapolis says she’s finally back at her gym. On his way back, he says he made an observation about people using the treadmills.

I noticed that almost everyone at my gym uses the treadmills, like, at a 10 incline and, like, they hold on for dear life, she says.

Ellen says she was surprised the area coaches didn’t correct them. It’s really confusing to me because there are trainers all over the place, training people, giving people suggestions as they train, and they never correct it, he says.

Ellen says she discovered that grabbing the front handlebars is a no-no as a teenager. The first gym I went to, [they] he pointedly told me, ‘Don’t hold on when the treadmill is tilted because you’ve stuck the belt,'” she recalls. Besides, you’re defeating the purpose of your workout anyway.

Ellen says that because people who frequent her gym use the handlebars for support, there are “few treadmills left that aren’t creaky”.

It annoys the crap out of me,” he says. “I’m debating whether or not to bring it up with management.”

In her caption, Ellen wonders if she’s wrong to want to take this to gym management. It also recognizes that some people have an injury or condition that requires them to hold onto the handlebars.

@larsonellen AITA to tell management that people shouldn’t use the treadmill like that? (Unless of course they have an injury or condition that requires it) #hottake #aita #gym #etiquette #ginmasio #treadmill #spain #barcelona #treadmillworkout #treadmillchallenge #gymetiquette original sound – Ellen

Viewers are conflicted about Ellen’s video

The Daily Dot reached out to Ellen via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. His video has accumulated more than 209,000 views and is surprising some viewers.

I notice it too how??? Baby, if the tilt messes up your balance, TAKE IT DOWN??!!! one viewer wrote.

“Same with the people hunched over on the stairs as why,” said another.

Others disagree with Ellen’s hot take.

I would actually be very embarrassed and upset if someone corrected something I did at the gym, one user commented.

There are reasons why people have. The fact that they do it means that they get something out of it. Do what works best for you, said a second.

Others also referenced Giraldo’s viral workout. “I think it’s because of the 12.3 speed incline and the 30 minute trend, but the girl who started it was tall and people forget that they have to do it because of her height and speed,” said one.

What is 12-3-30?

“12-3-30” is essentially what its name implies. People participating in this exercise set their incline to 12 while walking at a speed of three. And they walk for 30 minutes.

Although Giraldo first featured the workout on YouTube in 2019, according to Health.com, it didn’t really take off until he shared it on TikTok in 2020.

The workout has been praised by experts for being a low-impact cardio exercise, meaning there’s little stress on the joints.

Is there really a right and wrong way to use a treadmill?

According to Livestrong, Ellen is right.

Grasping the treadmill’s handlebars can overheat and damage the motor. In addition to damaging the machine, holding the handlebars makes a workout less effective.

However, this does not mean that training is not effective at all. People who have trouble maintaining balance, as well as those with injuries and disabilities depend on the handlebars, for Health Digestfor a good treadmill workout. You’ll just burn fewer calories.

As many suggested in the comments section, if you want to try walking with an incline on the treadmill, just go for a slower pace or walk with less of an incline.

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