What do you do on th treadmill?

happylittleclam
happylittleclam Posts: 27
edited November 8 in Fitness and Exercise
I havea treadmill, but is there some different action I can do on it? I just run for 40 minutes it gets boring
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Replies

  • EuroDriver12
    EuroDriver12 Posts: 805 Member
    try running backwards!!!
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    I have mine facing the TV, so I watch it. If I'm going slow or if you have a stand you can read, play on a laptop... of course I can't do either I go to fast and have no stand. You can listen to Audible. I love Audible. Music... but in my opinion music is better with outside with the secerny changing.

    I mostly watch TV, lots and lots of TV, but when I can't watch it because hubby is I relay on Audible to read to me... Sometimes I look at facebook on my phone while on the treadmill to, it's a little difficult but not so hard to hold since it's tiny. If you had an ereader that could work to, never tried though.
  • silhouettes
    silhouettes Posts: 517 Member
    And another thing I do to keep from being bored is go from 3.0 up to 4.0 (that's as high as mine goes), 1 minute each time until 4.0 I do 2 minutes, then back down... takes 22 minutes, I do that over and over sometimes, keeps my fingers moving and me watching the number, so my mind has something to do buy dose off.... I also jog 3.8 up and back down to 3.8 for 6 minutes each time to get my heart going faster, then back to walking... some people jog the whole time.. mine goes to slow for me to do that, I need a new one!
  • cekeys
    cekeys Posts: 397 Member
    If your machine has a variety of programs, mix it up on a daily basis. If it can create higher elevations, try that variation as well.
  • There's so much you can do on the treadmill! These are a few things I do to switch it up;

    - warm up walk for 5-10 minutes
    - jog a mile
    - 15 minute sprint intervals
    - 15 minutes walking uphill
    - 15 minutes jogging/walking uphill
    - 15 minutes jogging backwards, left & right side shuffle and walking intervals
    - finish off with a 5-10 minutes walk
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    I go outside to do my cardio. I don't like treadmills. They are boring. I rather watch all the Twlight movies with director commentary than use a treadmill. I do remember seeing at the gym people reading, watching things on their phones. I even seen the backwards motion people. Saw a guy doing farmers walks on a incline with it too. Very slow and steady pace. Now that I think about it, when lacking the space it's a good idea.

    For those unfamiliar with farmers walks, it's a strength training excercise. Carry a heavy dumbell in each hand and walk.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    I like to mess with my incline. 5 minutes at 2.0, then 5 minutes at 15.0 etc.

    Up at 15.0 degrees you are seriously burning - even if you're just walking.
  • Alice_H
    Alice_H Posts: 58 Member
    try running backwards!!!

    My physical therapist had me walk backwards as part of the rehab on my knees. I can't recall what exactly it does that's rehabby, but it was part of the routine.

    If you feel like dancing:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRk6Z1d1vdU

    or you can try the Tracey Anderson Method:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVLD5TOi6g4
  • april522
    april522 Posts: 388 Member
    I can't do the treadmill. It's just too boring for me. Before circuit training at the gym, I have to walk for 5 minutes on the treadmill to warm up first... longest 5 minutes of my life! I'd rather go outside and do a walk/jog/walk/jog routine on my own. At least the scenery changes. I can't do that during the winter though (cold weather kills my sinuses). :(
  • SaishaLea
    SaishaLea Posts: 333 Member
    Sometime to make it a little more interesting, I do intervals. I'll run at a fast pace for 3 minutes, jump off and lift weights for 3 minutes, back on treadmill, work on the step for 3 minutes....etc
  • TheLuSir
    TheLuSir Posts: 1,674 Member
    Run backwards
    Run at an incline
    Shuffle to one side then the other
    Get a platform and walk on your hands (with your feet on the platform to create a plank position)
    Duck walk

    And last but not least!!!!!

    Drink a couple of shots of alcohol and run at the fastest speed and highest incline, but make sure the camera is rolling ^_^
  • GateCrasher1
    GateCrasher1 Posts: 108 Member
    Put it in front of a mirror and admire your shrinking physique as you run!
  • try running backwards!!!


    I've done this also, just be careful. Sometimes I slow the speed down and do lunges. I listen to my mp3 and sometimes catch myself dancing if there are good tunes :smile:
  • reankanesmom
    reankanesmom Posts: 132 Member
    I do a 5 min warm up then I spring for 10 min running as fast as I can then slowing down and then running as fast as I can again. Once those 10 minutes are up I put the incline all the way up and I walk for another 5 then I go up by two with my speed till I am jogging till I get a total of 10. Then I just run for another 10 then cool down for 5. I take my mp3 player or if I am int the mood I will read on my kindle. Another thing I started doing my husband got me hooked on is running for 5 then getting off the treadmill and I do kettlebell swings then get back on run for five the get off and do a diff type of swing and so on till I get 45 min on tread.
  • After a 5 to 10 minute warmup, I like to gradually increase the speed over a period of ten to fifteen minutes. Crank it up by a set pace every 30 seconds or one minute for example until you are at a near sprint and then do the opposite (decrease by set amount every minute) to wind back down again.

    You can also do this interval-style training with changes in incline instead of speed.

    I have to say though, a nice run outside beats the treadmill every time.
  • GlenWalterGal
    GlenWalterGal Posts: 85 Member
    I love the series "Dexter" on TV but have never managed to catch a show (conflict of schedule) so I bought seasons 1-2 and 3 so far and made a deal with myself that I could only watch them if I am walking/running on the treadmill.

    So far, I've stuck to it. I also have added some reality shows that I recorded and can only watch on my treadmill. I also mix up tht workouts so I'm never doing the same thing. Incline, fast, slow, low incline, run, etc......Works for me.
  • Kilpezie83
    Kilpezie83 Posts: 1 Member
    Walking Inclines - Walk at varying incline levels for 5 minutes each: 0,3,5,7,7,6,5,4,7,6,5,4 (total of 1 hr) - I do this at 3.5mph right now.

    Rundowns - Switch between jogging then running each at the following time intervals: 5 mins, 4 mins, 3 mins, 2 mins, 1 min (total of 30 mins; repeat for a total of 60 mins) - Ex. 5 min jog, 5 min walk, 4 min jog, 4 min walk, 3 min jog, 3 min walk, etc.
  • rpantusa
    rpantusa Posts: 267 Member
    I started walking, then added running spirts in between, i would run as long as i could before slowing down, Now I added incline, so equvilant to walking up hills, and next I will be running up the hills. One step at a time, I am adding more and more. Better excersize and it keeps it interesting for me. I also usually wear my ipod and try to go with the beat of the music. :wink:
  • EuroDriver12
    EuroDriver12 Posts: 805 Member
    Put it in front of a mirror and admire your shrinking physique as you run!

    haha fuaaaaarrrrrkkk gonna go do that at my gym! grab the machine n move it to the mirror.. someone asks wtf...... mirin braah!
  • sophjakesmom
    sophjakesmom Posts: 904 Member
    I have a few workouts I do. One is to run a 5K or 10K. when I watch TV, it goes by ok.

    I do a sprint workout: 5 minute warmup at 5 mph, then jump to 7 mph for 30 secs, then back down to 5 mpm for 2:30. I do that 10-15 times and then end with a cool down.

    Pyramid, 5 min warmup 5 mph, then every minute I go up by .2 mph. Peak at 6.2 mph and then back down. depending on how much time I have, I do that 2 or 3 times and then back to a cool down. ( you can also do this pyramid with incline and a steady speed.)

    I prefer to run out side, but have found that my winter treadmill work outs are really great at monitoring my speed and pushing myself. Good luck!
  • CatchMom11
    CatchMom11 Posts: 462 Member
    I mix things up. I'll do a little running, walking, incline walking. What burns the most calories for me is serious incline walking. I keep it around 3.8-4.0 but I crank the incline. Start off with what you're comfortable with and increase it by a % every 2 minutes or so. Yesterday I burned 458 calories in 35 minutes... Kicking it up to 15% for a longer period is also a great way to shock your system if/when you hit a plateau.

    These are all things that my trainer has taught me.
  • Chelkb
    Chelkb Posts: 65 Member
    My treadmill can do so much and I don't really take advantage of that & should. I usually run for 3 miles at an incline of 2.5 at speed 6.5. I then walk 1 minute at 3.8 and then the next 2 miles I run at a 0 incline anywhere from 7.2 to 7.8.
  • Music on for me. bit of singing too if I'm not so out of breath15931389.png
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  • try running backwards!!!


    I've done this also, just be careful. Sometimes I slow the speed down and do lunges. I listen to my mp3 and sometimes catch myself dancing if there are good tunes :smile:
  • ReverendJim
    ReverendJim Posts: 260 Member
    I have all DVD box sets of the tv series "24." I have started them at the beginning and am working my way through. Did more than 100 miles on the treadmill just watching half of the first season alone. Shows like that are good because they always have a cliff-hanger ending, leaving you wanting more, so I look forward to getting back on the treadmill. Either that, or watch porn, and try to keep up with them.
  • I know you're probably serious about the running backwards thing, but really?? I'd kill myself!!!!:laugh: :laugh:
  • liroez29
    liroez29 Posts: 221
    It can be boring, but I listen to music, and try to improve my time, I get excited every second I shave off, that is the excitement for me. I am up to 3 miles. I bounce up and down on the speed setting, I will go from 4.5 mph to 5, back down to 4.5, then up to 5.5, my fastest is 6 mph. Hope you find what works for you! I just can't wait for warmer weather! I have not jogged outdoors yet!
  • thekacks
    thekacks Posts: 146 Member
    I crank the stereo up as loud as it goes with a mixture of music with good beats at various tempos... then I try to match my speed so I am walking on the beats... sing when I have the breath for it... and dance a little (or at least strut my stuff lol)
  • CatchMom11
    CatchMom11 Posts: 462 Member
    It's awesome for your calves! If you start out walking backwards, it's easier. It's no coicidence that the people that I see doing this at the gym are also the people that make me have "leg envy".
This discussion has been closed.