7 Tips to Make Treadmill Workouts More Fun
For days when you can’t run outdoors, the treadmill is the next best thing – or maybe not, as some people find it extremely boring.
But like love, it’s better to have run, than not tried at all, right? If you’re one of those people who dread treadmill sessions, here are a few tips on how to make each sesh more enjoyable.
1. Break Your Runs to Bite-Sized Sessions
Instead of running for 30 minutes straight, why not try this: run for 10 minutes, do some light weight lifting, run for another 10 minutes, do core workouts, then run the final 10 minutes.
2. Mix-Up Inclines and Speeds
Run on a faster pace on a flat surface, then run at a slower pace but on a steeper incline. You could also alternate between walking, jogging, and running at one-minute intervals.
3. Listen to a Podcast, Your Workout Playlist, or an Audio Book
Or watch a few episodes of your favorite series. You won’t notice the time pass by, promise.
4. Have Some Healthy Competition
Outpace/outrun the person on the treadmill next to you. The best part is, he or she doesn’t need to know it.
5. Don’t Look at the Timer
Have you noticed that time seems to slow down the more you check on your watch? The same principle applies to treadmill running.
6. Maximize your Treadmill Session
Give your upper body a workout and carry 2 to 5-pound hand weights while walking (and not running on the treadmill). That’s cardio and resistance training in one go.
7. Don’t Limit Yourself to Just Running
You can do high knees, butt kicks, side shuffles, lunges, and even push-ups (while the treadmill is turned off, of course).
