When I hear the word treadmill, a few words come to mind:
Boring.
Repetitive.
Dull.
Auto-repeat.
Nooooooooooooooooooo.
You too?
My reaction is mostly because I tend to fall into major treadmill ruts. I’ve recently discovered if I don’t consciously make an effort to create interesting treadmill workouts, then I really only have myself to blame when I cringe at the mere thought of them.
Sometimes a little pre-planning in life can really make a huge difference in outcome…and outlook, right?
Plus, it doesn’t hurt to dream of summer runs either…
Lately when nature forces me indoors, I now create my own workout plans to jazz things up a little. I’ve been inspired by all the workouts on Pinterest lately and decided it was about time that I start creating my own personalized workouts!
Workout #1
Here is one such workout that I created last week. I call it the Boredom Blaster because the time flies by. With a workout like this, there isn’t much time to feel bored before you’re changing speeds and inclines once again.
I also pause the workout and take a 30-60 second water break every 20 minutes (or as needed) to let my heart rate come down a little. After the workout I often bust out 3 sets of 10 push-ups and 2 sets of 50 ab exercises. Sometimes I stop the workout after 30 minutes depending on how much time I have available.
This workout leaves me a sweaty mess, feeling super accomplished, and ready to take on the day. Best of all, it breaks up the monotony that treadmill workouts can be known for.
Workout #2
Here is a SPEED workout I’m loving lately. My next 5km race is only 16 days away (on March 4th), so I’ve been working in speed workouts into my routine to get ready for it. I absolutely love this workout because it is super quick (under 25 minutes) and it changes every 2 minutes so boredom doesn’t have a chance to creep up!
I finish that workout a sweaty mess feeling like I just busted out a 45 min workout, but in half the time.
A challenge to try
If you’re stuck inside feeling the cardio equipment blahs, try making your own workout plan on paper before you begin, or even the night before your morning workout! Motivation is majorly boosted because it’s right there in front of you telling you what to do next and it’s also fun to mentally tick off each accomplished interval as you go. I don’t believe these workouts are a “one size fits all” deal, so feel free to tailor them to your specific needs.
How do you keep things interesting while working out on cardio equipment? Any fav workouts or mental tricks?
I am right there with you, treadmills are bor-ing! This looks like a good way to keep it interesting.
I am no longer able to use a treadmill, I just cannot put myself through it! I have an indoor rowing machine and I love it because I can switch things up as I am going along. It even has games on it that I can play if I am feeling really bored that day. It is a great all over workout and it is low impact, which my joints thank me for ;)
I just got a Garmin running watch (not the 305…but the one that Char’s got) and that shall keep my boredom blasted away for a while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! marathon in April, here I come!
i just need my ipod charged and loaded and i’m good to go. i actually really miss my treadmill. we left our great apartment gym and great running trails in dallas and moved to this tiny town where i don’t have access to a gym and there are NO running trails. i’ve been doing a lot of jumping jacks with my toddler. they’re getting old! but once the weather is nice again i’m definitely going to try to find a park around here and start running again. i miss it!
I got so bored of my treadmill I sold it, but now wish for it back when it is so cold!!
A friend of mine (she’s a personal trainer & group exercise instructor) teaches a “Tread N’ Shred” class and has tons of great treadmill workout interval plans on her website + playlists. If you’re interested, her site is visionfitnessandwellness.com. Cheers & happy running to you!
awesome! Thanks will check it out.
Good general ideas for workouts, but like you said not one size fits all. I could do the hill workout, but your speed workout would shoot me off the back by about halfway through!!!! You are such a speed demon :). Good luck on your next race – I hope it’s a little warmer!
haha ;) I just got a really funny visual there. Totally agree that it’s an individual thing..that’s exactly why I found the workouts on Pinterest didn’t quite fit what I was looking for.
Love this. I was just thinking the other day I have to really change up my treadmill routine otherwise I’ll lose motivation soon. Going to try this…thanks so much!!
I have to bring something to read when I do cardio or I get way too bored. A book, a magazine, something! This is also why I pretty much never use a treadmill. I can’t read and be bouncing up and down. Although that hasn’t stopped me from trying, lol!
Ok… I’m a treadmill newbie… :)
Is there a way to program your treadmill so that it changes the incline and speed automatically? Or do you have to do it by hand?
I think there are! My treadmill has programs I think….but I’ve never used them. Maybe it’s worth exploring.
I am going to try this treadmill work out tonight! I’ve been running outdoors (even all throughout December, brrr!) for about a year now, but one thing I haven’t developed yet with my distance training is speed. When I’m on treadmills I’m too scared to go faster than 7.0 for a minute, let alone 8.0 for 5 minutes! I’m going to try these workouts on slightly slower speeds and hopefully work my way up to yours some day! Did speed always come naturally to you?
Hey Jamie, I think that is a great plan. As I mentioned, I don’t think the workouts are a “one size fits all” type thing. Do what works for you and you can’t go wrong. I’ve always loved running fats. When I was younger I used to run the short 6-100 metre sprints in track and field and I always did quite well. Long distance was always a problem for me, but with training I’ve been able to overcome that for the most part. have fun!
holy typos!!!
fats = fast
6-100 metre = 60-100 metre
:)
Once I get a little more life back in my running legs I think I might steal your workouts! Thanks for posting them.
I’ve used iTrain.com treadmill workouts for ages. The music is not always to my taste, but I really feel like I get the most I can get out treadmills using them – and OMG do I hate treadmills… The workouts range from 20-60 min and there are even ones for hill training and sprint sets. I’ve also used the elliptical (good), stationary bike (meh – not a big bike fan) and yoga workouts.
I agree with you, the treadmill is so boring! I try to watch some interesting show on TV to pass the time
I’ve become hooked on netflix steaming. I’m watching old episodes of My So-Called Life right now. They are 45 minute long without commercials. I just set the treadmill to 6.0 and zone out. I know I’m not getting the interval benefits but at least I can enjoy it!
As long as there’s something good on tv, I don’t get too bored! And if there’s nothing good to watch, I’ll just start planning out dinners for the upcoming week. :D
You’ve read my mind!!! I’ve been stuck in such a runners rut anymore
I love the treadmill! I like to run to episodes of Angel or Buffy on DVD. I’ve seen them so many times I don’t miss much if I can’t quite make out the dialogue, and I love them enough that if I don’t feel like running for too long, making it to the end of the episode will make me run just a few minutes more. If I want a longer than 42 minute workout (the length of many episodes with credits) I pause the DVD at intervals and run for 1-3 minutes at a faster speed, then turn the DVD back down and slow down a little.
If I must use the treadmill then I tend to just blast an upbeat playlist I created and zone out….
I only go to the gym when I know VH1 and MTV are playing music videos. Each treadmill has a television, so if the music and the fast-paced videos are playing, I’m good to go on the treadmill. The mornings are best for this!
Intervals keeps me motivated and I feel like time goes by so much faster!