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 incredibly jealous of your running ability! Are you a natural runner or did you have to build up to those speeds?
Seeing that summer pic of you reminds me to get a Camelbak for the hot months ahead (okay, a few months ahead and to scratch leaving the waterbottle near the tree). Curious what model of Camelbak you have?…or suggestions to buy one.
Ha, wow — I love treadmill workouts every once in a while because it means I can finally catch up on my magazine reading!
I keep myself entertained while on the treadmill by sticking to an interval plan (thus keeping my mind busy) and listening to an audiobook! I wish I could read while I ran but my eyes just can’t focus enough. =/
Great workouts! Can’t wait to try them.
I am not a runner, if I really have to I will run, but I prefer to do workout videos instead.
I have 3-4 that I really love, so I just rotate through them to keep things interesting.
The only mental trick I have is telling myself how good I’ll feel when I’m done!!
You know, I started running this past summer and I’ve only ever run on the treadmill. I try to run 5k’s most of the time but they’re incredibly boring and halfway through I have to distract myself thinking “Only four more songs! Only three more songs!” even if I’m not getting sore or winded or anything. I always thought that was just how running was… maybe running outside in the summer will make me actually enjoy running! (As opposed to just enjoying the awesome legs, cardiac health, and depression-combating endorphins.)
I love the second workout you posted, too, the every-two-minute change sounds fantastic. I might start it out at a lower speed than you do, since I’m still trying to build my stamina back after a couple-month break, but hopefully between that and my first pair of real running shoes bought from a real running store after a real gait analysis, the treadmill can be a little less about numb feet and boredom.
I have been varying my treadmill workouts…thanks for posting these intervals..they look great! Have a wonderful weekend!
I have to watch TV while on cardio equipment, or I just can’t do it.
I just completed the 5 mile workout and it was SO HARD! When you mention you were a sweaty mess you were not exaggerating! I live on the West Coast and am lucky I can run outdoors all year round (hence my detest for treadmills) however, we’re experiencing high wind so I opted for the treadmill. This workout helped the boredom and helped expand my lungs too.
I just did a post on a whole collection of these kinds of workouts I found on Pinterest – now I have to add yours too! I’m going to update my post right now and add a link to yours.
These are great for exactly what you said – busting boredom. I get so sick of the treadmill if I’m not changing the incline or the speed or something!
Angela~ First I want to say that I find your blog to be beautiful, brave and inspiring. However, sometimes I feel slightly concerned by your posts. There is such a fine line between healthy self-improvement and immersing oneself in the next obsessive behavior. I cannot help but think that the average reader (who must relate to your past struggles in some degree) thinks that such controlled and calculated food and exercise rituals may be the path to greater self acceptance.
In reading your story, I perceive the essence of your message to be about unconditional self acceptance and letting go of perfectionism. It’s very inspiring. However your latest post (and some others) seem to be laced with just the opposite: more strict control. Can calculated control and maintaining non-perfectionism coexist for healthy and/or aspiring to be healthy women? I don’t know! I suppose it is difficult to write a blog centering around food and exercise while trying to promote radical self acceptance.
You do come across as healthier and largely recovered from your past demons, but I am not sure if some of the readers, who may be in their own recovery, can decipher between what is healthy self-care and what is just the next compulsion or unpromising method of temporary control.
This is merely an observation from a reader who values your voice and honesty greatly. I commend you for everything you try to do to promote healing and acceptance.
Sorry I could not email you personally as I would have liked. I could not locate your email.
All the best to you Angela.
I don’t have a treadmill, so am always out in the freezing cold in the winter. This winter has been so warm it’s been like running in spring weather. So weird.
I love this! Thank you for posting this … sometimes, I swear there’s nothing I hate more than the treadmill. It took me awhile to figure out exactly why that is … but it’s so obvious! It’s SO. BORING. I appreciate you trying to liven it up :)
I can’t stand running and watching the seconds tick by! I also love intervals on the treadmill, it truly does make time whizz by! When I find myself particularly struggling to finish a workout thats just dragging on, I tell myself “There is nothing you can’t do for five minutes” or “It’s only two minutes out of your entire life” and it helps make whatever time I have left in that particular interval seem doable. I especially love pretending that I’m finished after each interval because even though I know I’m not, the next interval is only another five minutes. I can handle that.
These look like great interval plans–thanks for sharing! Do you print them out and bring them to the gym with you?
Thanks so much for posting this! I had so much fun with it and I’ve never ran 5 miles this fast in my life! :) it was so motivating and rewarding!
What great workouts! You are such an inspiration, Angela. :)
Music, music, music….if I have to do cardio indoors, changing up my music is a life-saver.