Why You Should Never Hold On To The Handles While On The Treadmill

Walking or jogging on a treadmill is a great exercise and can help you get rid of belly fat. But you should never hold onto the treadmill or its handles unless you are injured, have a disability, have a balance problem, or suddenly need to catch your balance. You can't keep proper form when holding onto the treadmill, and proper form is essential for preventing strain, pain, or injury (via Verywell Fit). 

Think about how you walk on the sidewalk without a treadmill. You're not holding onto anything, and that's the natural way to walk. Holding onto the treadmill's handles while you walk isn't natural, and it's putting you in an unnatural position. According to Livestrong, you actually lower the number of calories you burn during a treadmill workout when you transfer the load to your upper body from your legs. Moving your arms while you walk is more natural and will help provide you with proper posture. You might have to walk slower when you let go of the handles, but that's okay. You'll get a better workout if you walk slower without holding on than you would if you walked faster and held onto the treadmill handles. You can work up to your old pace.