Treadmill Dizziness

[VickyII]

Hi,

I just started using the treadmill at the gym but I'm finding once I stop the room is spinning, I've asked one of the instructors how to prevent it and he said to make sure you do the cool down i.e. start gradually slowing down before getting off but I tried this today with no luck.

Has anyone else had the same problem?  How did you overcome it?

Vicky

[MarciM]

Hi @VickyII Welcome to the forums. Let's start with some basic questions:

• What type of tracker do you have (interested in is you can track your heart rate)
• Estimate your current fitness level
• Are you walking, running, running at an include on the treadmill
• Have you eaten before hitting the treadmill
• Are you properly hydrated 

Once I see your response, we'll work from there. 

Have a great day!

[USAF-Larry · Accepted solution]

@VickyII, I have never heard of that, nor seen anyone at the gym experience it.  It is hard to guess why you would get dizzy from walking on a treadmill, and not from normal walking.  But, regardless, you need to visit your doctor at your earliest convenience and have this checked out. Dizziness is normally an indication of a medical condition that needs attention.

[WendyB]

I agree with @USAF-Larry You need to talk to your Dr.

[VickyII]

Hi MarciM,

• I have a Charge HR Fitbit (the heart rate monitor isn't showing any problems, no huge spikes or lows in heart rate) and my resting heart rate averages about 62bpm
• Current fitness level: Average - I am overweight but I've been going to the gym since September and do a lot of walking, I've gone down a dress size and lost weight, I go to the gym 3 times a week at the moment
• I'm essentially speed walking on the treadmill
• Yes, I have eaten around an hour to an hour and a half before getting on the treadmill
• Yes, I drink plenty of water, I don't drink tea or coffee so 99% of the time I just drink water

Thanks for your help!

[VickyII]

Hi USAF-Larry and Wendy,

Thanks for your help.  I do get vertigo, but at the worst it happens once a year, so I do have an existing medical condition but its still strange that it happens on the treadmill but not when I'm walking.

I read on the livestrong website that it is known to happen, and basically just to persevere until my body gets used to it (something about it being similar to motion sickness, your mind knows your body's moving but your eyes are registering you are staying in the same spot - or something to that effect).  I spoke with an instructor at the gym and he was aware it can happen, and didn't seem concerned.

I don't think its anything to worry about but as it sounded like it is something that's known to happen to people who use the treadmill I wondered if anyone else had experienced it and had any tips.  

[SunsetRunner]

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@VickyII wrote:

I read on the livestrong website that it is known to happen, and basically just to persevere until my body gets used to it (something about it being similar to motion sickness, your mind knows your body's moving but your eyes are registering you are staying in the same spot - or something to that effect).  I spoke with an instructor at the gym and he was aware it can happen, and didn't seem concerned.

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That would have been my guess as well if there wasn't an underlying medical condition. Also Gyms can at times be stuffy with more CO2 in the atmosphere than what you would get while walking outside.  If there are a lot of people in the gym at the time and there is not a good flow of fresh air then that can cause you to become dizzy as well, it would depend on how good the gyms ventilation is. 

I used to train at a gym that was also a public heating pool complex, the warm air and the chlorine fumes almost made me pass out at times, I hated working out there.  They have since changes the ventilation system and it is nice and cool now and the air far fresher.

[Corney]

Vickyll:  The instructor should have immediately taken your blood pressure.  After I've completed my exercise and take my BP it sometimes goes down to 90/50.  I asked an exercise physiologist if that is normal and she said that it can be, because the exercise causes your blood vessels to expand.  It could also be dehydration, low blood sugar, or some other medical condition.  If it continues, I agree with others, see your Dr.

[DanielleinDC]

I too have had mild dizziness when stepping off the treadmill. And I do a proper cool-down. (I don't run, I only walk.) I suspect it's a disorientation thing more than a health thing, as it goes away after I walk around on solid ground for a bit.