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?
Keeping things interesting is one of the hardest things for me! I love getting ideas to mix it up because it’s definitely something I struggle with!
Treadmills are straight up EVIL! I get through those runs the best when there’s a football game on TV that I can zone out to…although an episode of Chopped or Top Model works nicely too ;)
Loving the more personal-oriented posts lately – the recipes are wonderful, as always, but it’s so nice to see the other sides of you!
I love the treadmill. Not sure why, but I prefer it to running outdoors. Maybe it’s my fear of dogs. :) My trick to not getting bored is to watch TV or listen to awesome workout music.
I always watch TV too, even better if there is a good show on!
I do intervals as well but I stay off the treadmill as a solo workout, I just can’t do it. I do a circuit that includes the dread…er, treadmill, the rower, step and weights so it keeps it interesting! I am printing your intervals out for the Mr though!
Oh I hear ya on the boredom Ange! Normally I’m totally fine with the treadmill and can run on it for hours (I know, I’m an odd one!) but lately, I’ve been itching to get outside on a real road!! To keep myself sane though, I tend to mix my runs with bursts on the StepMill (guaranteed to make me sweat EVERY time!), spin classes, or running with routines pre-written, like you described. Good luck on your next race – I hope you get some better weather!
Oh I love the stepmill…well love to hate ;)
Workouts like these are the only way I can bear the treadmill lately. I’ve been totally into 20-25 minute HIIT workouts and they make the time FLY! I like your second one a lot!
thanks for sharing this, its just the motivation I need!
I’m a really terrible runner, so I tend to stick to the other cardio machines – elliptical, stairstepper, bike – and I usually choose the interval or random programs so the resistance and/or incline changes while I read a magazine or watch a TV show. When I’m in a spin class and need some extra motivation, I visualize a looooong road in the middle of beautiful scenery and imagine that I’m riding outside, or I picture someone whom I’m pedaling to or away from, depending on my mood!
These are good ones. Every once in a while I do like to print out a workout and follow it. It does feel like more of a challenge rather than picking intervals as I go. And I have yet to run on an incline because I haven’t been running that long but I’m sure I can at least try 1% :)
This is going to help me tremendously. I signed up for my first half marathon and need to find fun ways to stay motivated and push myself. . . sometimes good music just isn’t enough to beat treadmill boredom. Thanks for these!
Goodluck with your training Alyssa!
I love to do speed intervals (400 or 800m) and that really makes things go by much, much faster. I can easily run 5 miles in what feels like only 2 or 3. Love it!
speed intervals are a great idea…I’ll have to try that next!
I am thankful that most of this winter I haven’t had to do a lot of my longer runs on the treadmill, but sometimes even shorter runs such as 4 or 5 miles can just sound like the most horrible thing ever created. Recently I have started playing with the incline and speed. I usually change something every mile. That way I am challenging myself mentally, but also giving myself something to look forward to. Another thing I do is to force myself to not look at the time on the treadmill except during commercials (if I am watching TV).
love your suggestions :)
I find that it helps if you can watch something interesting on TV or listening to music you enjoy. Also I am setting myself challenges throughout the tread mill run and change things up so that time will go by quicker.
Thanks for this! So needed it!
THANK YOU!
I recently got to the point in my running where the thought of running on a t-t-t-treadmill is enough to make me scream! However, in inclement weather it becomes a necessary evil. These are some great workouts I’ll be printing out and keeping in my gym bag!
I’m running a 5k the same weekend you are so thank you so much for posting these. Sometimes in Florida b/c of the heat and b/c I don’t have a Garmin or anything to tell me my pace I actually prefer the treadmill. I keep it interesting by varying the speeds, thinking about a dream vacation, watching TV etc.
I really struggle with the treadmill – even with the TV or music going! That being said, I do need to get beet at it because treadmills are great for speed work. Your speed work breakdown does look like there’s not much time for getting board!
Thanks for the speed workout tips, this is great! I found that while paying for a gym membership, I was just running outside so now I am no longer a member at a gym and don’t have access to a treadmill. I am definitely going to try this outside, minus the incline shifts. :-)
I have interval running apps on my iphone, Vitastone 5k Coach Pro is awesome. I just got an interval exercise one too but I haven’t tried it out!
I wish I had a good phone! Can you download them in ipad to? if so im going to steal Eric’s, heh
Love this! I always get so bored on the dreadmille ;)