I hate the treadmill, but winter is coming...any tips?

^ that

stationary bike is good if you don't like the tm

you could make a distance game of it..

wear lots of clothes? I don't know - I hate treadmill too - so I only do HIIT on it. quick, easy, burns lots of cals and done before you even know it.

No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes and gear. If you want to run inside though, I find running intervals makes the treadmill bearable.

Learn to like the cold?

I have a trainer set up on one of my bikes and watch tv on the bike

At a pint it just isn't as much fun as riding outside but it is what it is

I have an elliptical for a change up but it is still inside

The gym is a nice change up too

Doesn't the college have an inside track? Our local university has a track around the upper level of the basketball court.

lunges and squats without weights....just thinking out loud....i do them to warm up

kvansteen wrote: »

I have fell in love with running outside. My problem is that I live in the midwest and winter is going to be upon us sooner than I wish. I can bundle up some days and manage, but I would like to continue running about 3x a week. I have a gym at my college that I can use for free, and I have tried it a couple of times. My problem is that I hate the treadmill. I'm afraid I'm going to trip and bang my face. I also am constantly playing with the settings and cannot find a "routine" that I enjoy. I cannot figure out how to preprogram it either. I would like to set it so I can do my Couch to 10k, but I don't know how. Also, I get bored because the "scenery" doesn't change. I don't know, anyone have any tips?

Ask someone who works there to show you how to use the settings. Most have a button to quick toggle between two speeds, which makes your run/walk intervals easy if you're doing those on your program.

I like the treadmill only if I set it and forget it - in fact, I put a towel over the screen so I can't watch the numbers go by, which helps a lot. I use both the manual (just setting it to whatever pace and incline I want and then leaving it) and the preprogrammed (hill intervals and that kind of thing) depending on what's on my training schedule, and I try to do a mix of long slow distance, tempo runs (where I do some miles slower, some faster), and hills/sprint intervals. Keeps it more interesting. I use the Zombies, Run! app too (which has a treadmill tracking option) to keep my mind a little more occupied. I've also gotten to the point where I can read an ebook on my tablet with the font enlarged a bit while I run, which really makes the time fly but makes some people sick/dizzy so might not be for you. I find it a lot easier to do my long runs with those or even an audiobook.

There are other options, as people have already mentioned, from bundling up to indoor tracks, but the treadmill is convenient and it's not hard to get used to with a few attempts if it's a solution you want to pursue.

My preferred cardiovascular exercise is cycling outdoors...but when winter comes, I do far less of that though I still get out on nicer days. I don't really like droning away on cardio machines, but basically when winter rolls around I suck it up for a few days per week and just do what I have to do...it's temporary...Spring will come around again pretty quickly.

I also spend more time in the weight room in the winter and tend to do less cardio work in general during the winter months...basically just enough to maintain a reasonable base to work with once Spring rolls around and I start getting my miles in again.

If you're so inclined, you could do more circuit training/boot camp type of stuff at the gym and get a reasonably good cardio workout in with the added benefit of a little resistance work. Sometimes it's good to do something different..I enjoy training in seasons and it fends off boredom.

There are some great treadmill workouts in Pinterest, check em out. Having to focus on just the current interval makes the time fly by.

I use a few apps that help pass the time. Spotify always for music, and then Zombies, Run! is another one that is kind of fun. Also Bit Gym allows you to choose a city to run through, and it pops up interesting tidbits about the area. I get 3 free workouts per month and in my opinion the upgrade is a little pricey so I just stick with the limited amount of runs.

Cant help you, I LOVE my treadmill, regardless of the season..I think it gets used more than any other piece of equipment or item in my house, including the vacuum, stove washer and dryer!

@kvansteen Layers, Layers and Layers. Like @7lenny7 said.
I spend at least 4 months in the dark deep freeze of winter - Northern Canada.
We are already in the Cold/Snowy days of early winter.

7lenny7 wrote: »

I live in Minnesota and plan to run outside all winter long. Watch the forecast and dress for the weather.

gia07 wrote: »

Nothing will ever take place of running outdoors!!! Hands down! I do live in the south and will have many more 50+ mornings to run, but there will be plenty of 40- days as well so I will dress in my "cool gear", running gloves and warm up with a sweat before I head outside..

@gia07 I agree with you on running outdoors. Running Outdoors is so therapeutic. The varied scenery that helps keep your mind busy and subtle or extreme terrain changes that are so good for improving your core and balance. Your cold days are my "Heat Wave days".

kvansteen Some links for you that might help you discover a love of outdoors even in the cold of winter.
http://www.runnersworld.com/cold-weather-running/10-tips-for-running-in-the-cold
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-apparel/cold-weather-running-gear
http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10059519/running-gear-is-taking-over-my-wardrobe#latest
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1421140/cold-weather-running-gear

I can't find the one really good discussion where people had attached pictures of their favorite gear and a Chart Showing Clothing for the different temperatures and conditions.

Happy Trails

7lenny7 wrote: »

Watch the forecast and dress for the weather.

This

Alternatively a road bike on a turbo with the Sufferfest

I hate the treadmill as well, but also don't enjoy running in temp less than about 30 degrees. Like other's have said, I do interval type training when I'm on the treadmill and it's actually helped my speed quite a bit. Since the treadmill can kind of force my speed, I usually set it for 30 sec/mile pace better than what I normally run outside. So my if I'm currently running about 7 min mile fast pace outside, I'd run a interval like this:
1st 1/4 mile - 8min/mi
2nd - 7:30
3rd - 7
4th - 6:30 (1 mile done)
5th - 7
6th - 7:30
7th - 8
8th - 7:30 (2 miles)
9th - 7
10th - 6:30
11th - 7
12th - 7:30 (3 miles)
5 min cooldown

OP Play with your layering. I am from the 49th parallel and I'm used to being in colder weather. I would die if I ran in 50 degree weather in a long sleeved shirt, and full pants. I wear capris and a short sleeved shirt. Last November it was super cold for my Veteran's day race, and I wore a dri fit hoodie. The sweat from my hair froze, and I had chunks of ice in it. I would have been better off tucking my hair under a hat.