THE TREADMILL – Interview with Chris Cleary

Established in 1983, The Treadmill boasts over 3,000 square feet of the latest shoes, sportswear and accessories. Our highly trained staff, experts in the areas of biomechanics and foot mechanics, provide custom shoe-fitting, enabling customers to make an informed choice that best suits their needs.

Website: www.thetreadmill.com
Phone: (831) 624-4112

Tell us about yourself and your business.

Our names are Chris and Janice Cleary and we’ve owned The Treadmill since 2011. Before that, my wife studied to become a teacher and I spent ten years as a carpenter.  We moved to Carmel in 2008 from Canada and have two daughters ages nine and seven.

What inspired you to open The Treadmill at The Crossroads Carmel?

My wife and I bought The Treadmill when the original owners retired. We loved the idea of becoming part of this community and helping to grow and improve it through a community-focused business.

How does your business connect to the Carmel community?

It’s been our pleasure to sponsor a number of community events and donate to many local causes.

What do you love about Carmel?

What isn’t there to love about Carmel? We’re only seconds from the ocean and only minutes from the mountains. Beyond the blessed geography, though, it’s the community that makes Carmel special. The people here continually humble us with their kindness and support.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business?

As with almost every business, it’s been very difficult. Besides the obvious issues, one of our biggest problems has been the strain on our supply chain. For several months it was virtually impossible to replenish our inventory. We’re fortunate that our community understands the importance of supporting a local business. Everyone has been very understanding.

How have you kept up a healthy and active lifestyle?

Being active has always been an important part of our family life. These days, balancing the time commitment between our kids and The Treadmill is a juggling act! Even though our leisure time is more limited, we spend as much time as we can outside with our daughters.

Which product can you not live without?

My Brooks Adrenaline shoes and my Balega socks–a match made in heaven!

What products could help someone with their at-home workouts?

A yoga mat is a great place to start! It provides a safe and comfortable space to exercise, and clearly denotes what you’ve designated as “your place.” It’s a positive reminder of the promises you’ve made to yourself on your health journey. Add a foam roller to your yoga mat for recovery as a great next step.

What is your top recommended product for the Fall Season?

Now more than ever, it’s critical that people have access to safe, effective, high-quality wellness solutions. For that reason, my top recommendation is the Theragun “Mini” Percussive Massager. It’s a recovery tool used by people of all ages that increases blood flow and decreases tension deep within the muscle. Some of the major benefits of percussive therapy are decreased muscle soreness and stiffness, faster warmup and recovery, increased blood flow, decreased lactic acid, and increased range of motion which improves your ability to stretch.

Tell us a little more about the custom shoe-fitting process?

Shoes are designed to accommodate a wide variety of foot shapes and sizes.  A Person’s running or walking biomechanics have a big effect on determining the type of running shoe that will work best for them, which makes our “Fit Process” crucial. Our knowledgeable staff will work one-on-one with you to recommend specific products that will provide maximum comfort and protection, allowing you to run, walk or hike more efficiently and avoid common injuries.

Any advice for people navigating this crazy time in our lives?

Honestly, I don’t feel as though I’m in a position to give advice to anyone trying to navigate this crazy time. Everyone’s situations and experiences are different. My only advice would be to lean into the aspects of your life that make you happy and bring you joy.

Anything else you would like to share?

We just want to thank you for choosing to support our family’s small business.