How to Beat Treadmill Boredom & Enjoy Exercise?
Running amidst nature and sweating profusely feels truly rewarding. I am taking up running about a couple of years back. Until there were weather fluctuations, running for an hour or two was always possible. But, during rains, my entire regimen would fall flat on the face. Thus, I decided to get a treadmill home. Initially, the excitement of the new machine took over me, but it lasted merely for a week or so. Soon the treadmill started feeling like dreadmill. Running in one place felt like a total drag. I had to overcome this. I had to find ways to beat treadmill boredom & enjoy exercise.
Look at these six ways to beat treadmill boredom if you wish to make the most of the super machine back home.
1. Go for interval training
Experts suggest that interval training is the best. Interval training means physical training that consists of alternating periods of high- and low-intensity activity. Research reveals that in this particular training when you alternate high-intensity exercise with low-intensity recovery periods calories are burnt faster and fitness increases. The best part about this workout is that you can adjust interval training to your own pace; a sprint, run, or jog speed.
The interval training method that I often follow looks like this:
- 15 minutes warm up.
- Then run for 3 minutes at 90 to 95 percent of your maximum heart rate and repeat the three on/3 off pattern 3 to 4 more times.
- Wrap up with a 10-minute cooldown.
Bonus: This workout is like weight training for the heart—it strengthens the cardiovascular system, and improves overall health.
2. Mimic the original terrain
To make the workout both fun and challenging I would suggest that you definitely go for this idea of mimicking the original terrain. To beat the flat and monotonous running, kick the incline up a few notches and set it to simulate uneven outdoor terrain and make up for the lack of wind. For this try wind and incline variances. For some, no incline on a treadmill could cause muscle cramps. Thus, add fun to your workout by mimicking the original terrain.
3. Run and multitask
What if I tell you to do cardio during strength training? I can see your jaws dropping! Add excitement to your treadmill workout and revere it up with 2- or 5-lb. Dumbbells to practice bicep curls, shoulder presses, and other upper body exercises as you walk. Or just hop on and hop off as you log the miles. As you alternate 5 to 10 minutes of running with exercises like squats, push-ups, crunches, planks, and lunges be sure to slow down the belt speed unless you are comfortable adapting to the change.
4. Try Pyramid Training
This is one of the most fundamental and effective ways of building muscle strength. In this particular regimen, the speed changes rapidly and prevents one from getting bored. It is mostly a 30-minute intense workout. Initially try it for 15 minutes and then repeat if needed. For a pyramid training session on the treadmill run for 5 minutes at the speed of 6.0, 4 minutes at 6.5, 3 minutes at 7.0, 2 minutes at 7.5 and for 1 minute at 8.0. Oh! This gets your heart racing.
5. Let the deck of cards decide
This is the unique but an ultimate fun idea. All you need is a set of cards and a pen. Pick four cards randomly and write “run,” “run fast,” “jog,” or “walk” on each of them. Shuffle them up and start with your warm up. Later draw a card and follow the instruction on it. After every 3 minutes pick up another card. Repeat the same until you have achieved your goal. You could play with speed and incline levels. Add rewards, perks and punishments too. We all know that suspense adds spice to life and what better than bringing it into our exercise routine too?
6. Make it a digital workout
How about creating a “treadmill playlist” or watching your favourite soap opera while jogging. Some excellent songs can definitely help you beat the treadmill boredom. Research reveals that music and television are excellent distraction devices. So comprise a playlist of high-tempo and low-tempo songs depending on the treadmill speed you run at. While watching shows run hard and take a break during commercials. You would feel great if the running tempo is maintained throughout the show.
These ideas will make your workout fun, help you stay in shape through unforgiving weather and untraversable terrain. In short, adapt to these ideas and make that boring time on the belt fly by.