5 Tips to Awaken Your Inner Treadmill Workout

Treadmills offer a great option for those who don't always have the option of going outside. During COVID-19 quarantine many people and families have been challenged with how to get out of the house without becoming exposed to the virus. The gym and fitness centers are no longer an option for many. Some have a slight phobia about working out or even sweating in public. If you follow under either of these categories you may begin to feel tied to the treadmill for your source of exercise. 

The first week of a treadmill or even the first month may feel as though you are making some sort of progress. Maybe stocking to your workout, building muscle, losing a few pounds, and actually exercising is enough for you. But what about after 6-months? Board of the TV shows, music playlists, talking on the phone, staring out the same old window...? What then? How do you stay motivated to work out when it is boring?

Here are a few helpful hints to stay motivated during your treadmill, elliptical and/or cycling workouts:

1. Try different Race-Specific Hill intervals
2. Challenge yourself with not only different speeds but also different incline percentages.
3. Engage your brain while you workout with inspirational speakers, Wayne Dyer, and others. While your body is on a high bring your mind and spirit with it.
4. Shut the treadmill off - this may seem counterproductive but, splitting your routine up may help. Try 20 minutes on the treadmill and 10 minutes of floor activity, 10 - 20 minutes on, 10 minutes off.
5. Change the location of your treadmill. Is there another window that you can look out of? Even if it is a small change this may make a huge difference.

Women's Health advises that: 

"Opt for Intervals:

If you just jog at a steady pace without an incline, you’re not going to see huge results—even if you stick with it for an hour. A better bet: Interval training. “It provides a time-efficient, highly-effective workout experience, enabling people to burn more calories in less time,” says Matthews. You can do this by either changing the speed or the incline during different segments of your workout. (Note: Beginners should adjust only one variable at a time.)

Try it: For a 15-minute workout, first, warm up at a brisk pace (about 4 mph) for five minutes. Then, increase your speed to about 6 mph (or faster, if you're comfortable) for 20 seconds. Next, reduce the speed to 4.5 mph for 40 seconds, and continue to alternate between fast and slow intervals for a total of five minutes before you cool down for five minutes." (Excerpt from Women's Health, 2021, article: 3 Ways to Train Harder on a Treadmill)