Growing bored with an exercise routine is one of the top reasons that many people slack, or quit, exercising. If you are growing bored walking on your treadmill, there are many things you can do to make treadmill workouts more interesting. Here are some ideas that can keep your treadmill workouts fun and interesting:
Movies, Music, CDs and TV. Use your treadmill workouts as a time when you catch up on your favorite TV programs, the newest movie releases, audio books and motivational CDs. If you have music in your bones, workout to your favorite music and your workout times will go by fast. Don't be afraid to sing along and entertain the kids and pets. They'll get a kick out of it!
Pyramid Walking. One way to keep your mind from growing bored during treadmills workouts is to try mental challenges. Pyramid walking is when you try to increase your walking speed by .1 mph every minute for 15 minutes. Then, decrease your walking speed by .1 mph every minute for the last 15 minutes.
Walking for Dancers. If you have good coordination and love to dance, you can use your treadmill workouts as a time to increase your balance and strength. All you have to do is walk backwards at an even pace for a portion of your treadmill workouts.
Count the Numbers. If you are a number junkie, count your steps every other minute. See how your steps change and increase as you move from one fitness level to another.
Circuit Training. Treadmill workouts can benefit greatly by adding circuit training into the mix. Those of you who are interested in strength training can do lunges, crunches, free weights or some other strength building exercise for one minute after every five minutes of walking.
Stretching. Most everyone loves stretching. A very enjoyable thing to incorporate into treadmill workouts is stretching. Walk 10 minutes, get off your machine and do stretching exercises for five minutes. Repeat this until your workout time is over.
Walk and Climb. Place a stepper next to your treadmill and alternate between walking for five minutes and stepping for five minutes.
Walk To a Destination. Many people love finding out how many miles it is to a favorite destination or relatives home and seeing how long it takes them to walk there on their treadmills. Chart your results and see how far it takes you to walk where you want to go.
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.
Did any of these suggestions interest you? If they did, try them during your treadmill workouts, or make up a few of your own routines. The most important thing is that you bring the interest and fun back to your treadmill workouts so that bad guy, boredom, knows he isn't welcome.
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