Keep Your Treadmill Workouts Interesting with These Tips

Let’s face it; walking on a treadmill can get rather boring after a while. But, the good news is there are many things you can do to make your treadmill workouts fun and interesting again. Here are just a few:

Movies, Music, TV and CDs. Are you a movie or TV buff? If so, treadmill workouts are an ideal time to feed the craving. Music lovers often find that walking to their favorite music makes workouts more enjoyable and productive. If you don’t have time to read, listening to audio books or motivational CDs during your treadmill workouts is a great way to get lost in thought while you are walking.

Pyramid Walking. A really cool mental challenge you can do during your treadmill workouts is pyramid walking. All you have to do is try to increase your pace by .1 mph every minute. Do this for 15 minutes. Then, try to decrease your pace by .1 mph every minute for the remaining 15 minutes of your treadmill workout.

Dancers. If dancing is a favorite pastime, you can build up your strength and increase your balance by walking backwards on your treadmill. Keep your pace steady and even. This should only be tried by people who have good coordination!

Numbers – 1, 2, 3. For one minute, count how many steps you take during your workout. The following minute, give your mind a break. Start counting your steps again for one minute. Counting steps makes treadmill workouts fly by for some people. It also is nice to see how your foot speed increases over time.

Circuit Training. Many people find that circuit training is a great addition to treadmill workouts. Start out by walking for five minutes. Then, step off your machine and do crunches, push ups, lunges or free weights for one minute. Then, get back on your treadmill and repeat until your workout is completed.

Stretching. Stretching just feels good! After walking for ten minutes, get off of your machine and do stretch exercises for five minutes. Get back on your machine and repeat this process until your workout time is up.

Step and Walk. Take turns walking on your treadmill and using a stepper. The number of minutes you allot to each is individual based upon your fitness level.

Chart Your Progress. Pick a place you have always wanted to visit and chart your mileage there after each workout. See how long it takes you to walk to Hawaii, China or the Bahamas.

Heart Rate Training. Heart rate training involves finding out your maximum heart rate and cycling in and out of different heart rate zones for two or three minute intervals. This type of treadmill workout shouldn’t last more than 20 or 30 minutes and you shouldn’t do it more than three times per week because it is intense.

This is just a small snippet of the things that you can do to bring fun back into your treadmill workouts. Find out what works for you and don’t be afraid to change it up. Chasing away boredom is crucial to keeping your exercise program going long term.

Read additional articles on treadmill workouts for weight loss here. You’ll also find detailed reviews and information of the best treadmills available online now to help you reach your fitness goals.