Welcome runners (and exercisers) of all levels that are frustrated with going at it all alone!
Here’s my “rags to runner” story…
Whether you’re a beginner who has never run before, a runner who clocks more miles than an airline pilot, or someone who simply wants to lose weight via running, the Treadmill Trainer Blog is your source for amazing interval training and running-related information.
My goal with this blog is to educate, equip, and inspire you to become the best runner you can be!
But first, let me tell you where it all began…
The concept for the Treadmill Trainer iPod running workouts was created by me – Yuri Elkaim – in late 2006. I developed these audio-guided running workouts because I knew that I wasn’tthe only person who needed more structure, motivation, and guidance to get more enjoyment and more results from my runs.
And really, this whole dilemma started well before 2006…
Growing up, my entire life was devoted to playing soccer at the highest level. I dreamed of playing professional soccer in Europe, and in 2003 that dream became a reality.
However, as a goalie, I never enjoyed running. I guess it was because I was always at the back of the pack when running with my outfield teammates.
Not great for the confidence – if you know what I mean.
Throw me in some footwork, sprint, or explosive drills and I’d be all over that, but long-distance running…forget about it.
So began my journey to find a more effective way of getting in running shape without feeling like a loser or hating the process.
The Prologue
Before playing pro soccer, and while still studying at the University of Toronto, I began personal training as a way of putting into practice what I was learning in the classroom (I was in Physical Education & Health/Kinesiology).
Anyways, among many of my clients were people who loved to run. Some were “hardcore†runners, running up to 3 hours a day, while others were more casual and just enjoyed running as a means of losing weight and getting in better shape.
As someone who is always searching for better ways to help others, I was really fortunate to have been learning some real cutting-edge training information in school. And the cool part is that I got to test much of it out on my clients.
They were my guinea pigs if you will, and I thank them tremendously for helping me develop the training methods that became the foundation of the Treadmill Trainer.
Working with hundreds of personal clients, the most common concern they had, other than wanting to lose weight and get fit, was working out in a more time-efficient manner. No one wants to workout for hours on end – I sure don’t!
People are busy. We live in a busy, fast-paced world. But we still want results.
So there had to be a better way of training, of running, then simply going for as long as possible.
Thankfully, there was. And there still is!
Principles of proper training don’t change. There are really only more and more studies that spring up to prove them correct.
One such principle is known as interval training.
In looking for a way to help my clients get better results in less time, I started testing out different interval training workouts with them.
At the time, interval training was a big topic in my Fundamentals of Athletic Conditioning class. I had access to the latest research on the subject and I got to apply it directly with my clients, and with myself.
I also started to realize that this was also the way that most pro athletes train. Sure they spend a bit of time building a general aerobic base doing longer duration, lower intensity runs but the meat of their cardio conditioning came in the form of high-intensity interval training.
After all, most sports feature repeated bouts of high and low intensity. I know soccer sure does. So do hockey, rugby, basketball, and many others.
Now I know that running a 5k or a longer distance is more of a straightforward sustained pace, but what I soon realized was that using interval training dramatically improved my ability, and the ability of my clients, to breakthrough previous running plateaus and create amazing results!
The beautiful thing about interval training is that it basically trains your body to be able to run faster for longer periods of time. And since INTENSITY is the most important determinant of your fitness level, it just makes sense to use intervals more often.
Using interval runs, my clients quickly started seeing amazing results…in half the time. No longer did they need to run for an hour and start to complain about shin splints or boredom. Instead, our shorter, higher intensity workouts lasted up to 20 minutes but left them feeling exhilarated, refreshed, and fitter than ever.
Plus, many of them who wanted to lose weight started to notice immediate changes without compromising their muscle mass. And that’s a very good thing!
Fast-Forward a Few Years…
When I finally made my way over to France to play (with Lille OSC), I had spent 6 intense weeks preparing for pre-season. Although it helped, I had no idea what to expect.
And I quickly found out.
I guess in a good way, although it didn’t seem like that at the time, our strength and conditioning coach was also the Olympic sprint coach for the French national team.
And what did he make us do?
Intervals!
Over and over and over again.
I had never been fitter in my life. I learned a tremendous amount from Didier. Much of what I use to today came from his knowledge and what he put me through, back in the day. It was tough but boy did it ever work!
Interval training kicks long duration, boring runs any day!
For instance, take a typical marathon runner and have them run intervals or play a game of soccer and you’ll quickly see a fish out of water.
They’re simply not used to the change of pace or running at higher intensities. But if they integrated high intensity intervals into their training, they could be so much better!
So, out of the need to help more people (and runners) with these training methods, I developed the Treadmill Trainer iPod running workouts.
I knew that I physically could not work with people all around the world, but I could certainly clone myself thanks to the advent of mp3 technology and iPods.
Thanks to this amazing technology I was essentially able to record ME (alongside some awesome running music) coaching you through interval training runs. Thus, when you load the workouts onto your iPod or mp3 player, you hear my voice telling you when to speed up, when to slow down, and giving you on-going guidance and encouragement throughout.
It’s literally the next best thing to having me run right beside you!
So many people are looking for help. Not only are they looking for better training programs but they are perhaps, more importantly, looking for someone to hold their hand and guide them through the process.
That’s what the Treadmill Trainer is all about.
And that’s why we say, “You will never run alone again!”
You’ll always have my voice on your headphones providing you with not only the best running interval training programs, but the coaching and friendly accompaniment to get you the best results in less time…while having fun in the process!
These workouts have become so well received that I now use them with our soccer team at the University of Toronto (where I’m the Strength & Conditioning Coach).
Also, because of their portability and convenience, they have also become the official workouts of the Four Seasons’ Hotels across Canada!
They’ve been featured in numerous media including Breakfast Television, eTalk Daily, Flare Magazine, and the Calgary Herald.
But most importantly, they have helped (and continue to help) thousands of exercisers and runners of all fitness levels, all around the world!
So there you go!
This blog is dedicated to you. To giving you the right information to help you become the best runner you can be. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or seasoned running veteran, the Treadmill Trainer Blog will provide you with top-notch running information, workouts, and tools to reach your full potential.
Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to connecting with you!
Your friend and coach,
.
.
.
Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN
Creator, Treadmill Trainer
P.S. While you’re here, why not get started by taking 2 of our most popular Treadmill Trainer iPod running workouts for a test spin. Just enter in your name and email at the top right of this page!
