Ah, the farmers' carry—the unsung hero of functional fitness. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it makes you feel like a real-life Hercules hauling a week's worth of groceries in one trip.
But here's a twist: what if you want to take your farmers' carry to the next level by doing it on a treadmill? You might be wondering, "Can I really do that?" Let’s dig in.
What Is a Farmers' Carry?
First things first—what exactly is a farmers' carry?
Imagine picking up a heavy pair of dumbbells or kettlebells and walking with them. Sounds easy, right? Wrong!
The farmers' carry is one of the best exercises for building total body strength, improving grip, and boosting core stability. It targets your forearms, traps, shoulders, core, and even your legs. Plus, it's a real-world movement, mimicking activities you do in everyday life.
How to Execute a Farmers' Carry on a Treadmill
So, you’ve mastered the farmers' carry on solid ground, and now you’re looking to add a twist—literally—by doing it on a treadmill. Here's how to make it happen:
- Set Up the Treadmill: Start by setting your treadmill to a slow walking speed. Something in the range of 1 to 2 mph is ideal. You don’t want to rush this.
- Pick Up Your Weights: Grab a pair of dumbbells or kettlebells that challenge you but aren’t so heavy that you lose control.
- Hop On and Walk: Carefully step onto the treadmill, weights in hand, and start walking. Keep your chest up, shoulders back, and core engaged. The goal is to maintain good posture as you walk.
- Maintain Control: Focus on your form—don’t let the treadmill do the work for you. You’re aiming for a controlled, steady pace. If you feel like you’re losing your balance or form, it's time to stop.
Remember to use that emergency stop clip, just in case your farmers’ carry becomes a farmer’s fail.
Why Would Someone Want to Do This?
Now, you might ask, "Why would I want to do a farmers' carry on a treadmill when I can do it on the floor?" Fair question! Here are a few reasons:
- Increased Stability Challenge: Walking on a treadmill adds an element of instability, forcing your core and stabilizing muscles to work even harder.
- Controlled Environment: A treadmill allows you to control the speed and duration of your walk, making it easier to focus on your form and endurance.
- Indoor Convenience: Bad weather outside? No problem! You can get your farmers' carry workout in without stepping foot outside.
This is a great option for small home gyms, where your family doesn’t appreciate you walking all over the house with your weights.
The Risks of Doing Farmers' Carries on a Motorized Treadmill
As cool as it sounds, there are some risks to consider:
- Loss of Balance: Treadmills aren’t designed for carrying weights, so there's a higher risk of losing your balance, especially if the speed is too high or the weights are too heavy.
- Treadmill Damage: The added weight could potentially damage the treadmill's motor or belt, particularly if it’s not designed for high-impact or weighted activities.
- Injury: A slip or trip while holding heavy weights could lead to serious injuries—not just to you but also to the treadmill.
Can you do farmers’ carries on a treadmill? Yes. Should you? Maybe not.
Enter the Dreadmill: The Perfect Solution
If you’re set on combining farmers' carries with a treadmill but want to avoid the risks, meet the Bells of Steel Dreadmill. The Dreadmill isn’t your typical treadmill—it’s a beast designed for functional training. Equipped with sled push handles, weight horns, and moveable arms for rows and carries, this machine is built to handle the extra load.
The Dreadmill allows you to safely perform farmers' carries without worrying about damaging the equipment or hurting yourself. You can adjust the resistance, making it feel like you're carrying those weights uphill or through mud, all while staying in one place. Plus, it’s built for versatility, so you can switch up your workout by adding sled pushes or farmer carries with ease.
The Dreadmill is also manual, so if you stop, it stops.
FAQs About Farmers' Carries on a Treadmill
Q: Can I use a regular treadmill for farmers' carries?
A: Yes, but it’s risky. You’re better off using a machine designed for functional training, like the Dreadmill.
Q: What weights should I use?
A: Start with lighter weights to get used to the motion and gradually increase as you feel more confident.
Q: Is it worth the risk?
A: Not really, unless you have a Dreadmill. Regular treadmills aren’t built for this kind of use, and you could end up with more problems than gains.
Conclusion: Step Up Your Game with the Dreadmill
While you can technically do a farmers' carry on a treadmill, it’s not the safest or most efficient way to train. The Dreadmill from Bells of Steel offers a safer, more versatile option that allows you to push your limits without risking injury or damaging your equipment. So why settle for less when you can carry the world (or at least a couple of kettlebells) on your shoulders with confidence?
Summary of Key Points
- Farmers' Carry on a Treadmill: Adds instability, but comes with risks.
- Motorized Treadmills: Risky for weighted activities.
- Dreadmill: Safe, versatile option for combining carries with functional training.
