Treadmills offer lots of features and options. With high tech electronic consoles and adjustable incline settings, there are lots of ways to use your treadmill. But, there are some simple routines you can do to spice up your treadmill workouts without all the fancy buttons and gadgets. Here are some ideas to add some variety to your routine.

Walk Backwards

Here’s a simple idea that’s never occurred to most treadmill users. Why not turn around and try it backward for a while?

Going backwards on the treadmill can do wonders for your coordination and balance. At first, it’s awkward, but after a while you’re balance improves and it’s a piece of cake. Walking backwards can also build strength in some of the leg muscles you don’t use often in ordinary walking.

Count Your Steps

You may be taking shorter or longer strides during your workout and not even realize it. The most exercise efficient walking is a consistent pace. When we start to get tired, we may cut corners and slow it down without slowing down the actual speed of the treadmill.

To make sure you are maintaining the same pace throughout, count your steps. Keep track of how many steps you take in one minute. Every now and then, count for a minute and see if you’re consistent or not. It’s better for your workout to take small, fast steps. Challenge yourself and see if you can beat your high score!
Let The Networks Time Your Workout

Here’s a fun and entertaining way to time your workout: watch TV. Lots of people watch TV while doing their treadmill exercises, and find that using the TV to time their breaks and changes of routine work well.

It’s best if you’re a sports fan. Sports games are timed to the second, and you can use them to time your workout to the second. If you aren’t into sports, you can watch your favorite sitcom or drama and use the commercial breaks for your own break. You probably never looked forward to the commercials before, did you?

If you’re up for a long run, put on a movie. If you’d rather listen to music, time your workout to your favorite songs.

Mix It Up

Mixing up your treadmill routine with stretches and other exercises like stomach crunches or aerobics is great. It’s good because it provides an overall workout that is well-balanced and includes your whole body. It’s also good because it gives you some variety and lets you step off the treadmill for a while. Using your treadmill with other exercises is recommended by health fitness experts.

Work Out Naked!

The latest health research shows that exercising naked is the best way to stretch your muscles and take off extra weight. Just kidding! You don’t need any scientific evidence; you can do whatever you want to in the privacy of your own home. Whatever it takes to liven up your exercise routine! Just check to make sure the windows are closed first.

You don’t have to just turn it on and run. Combine your machine and your imagination and make some treadmill workouts of your own.

Runner’s Question: My bf’s birthday is coming up, and I am deciding between getting him the new ipod touch or the ipod nano. He likes running, so if I go with the nano, I would also get the Nike sneakers, and the software to track his miles. All that together is around the same price as the ipod touch. I know that it is more practical, esp as you cannot use the touch for running, but I feel the touch is more fun and exciting? I don’t know, any suggestions/advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Really quickly to add, my bf is more of a gadgets guy than a running guy. he hates running, but does it to keep in shape. he has said that he wanted the nano with the armband for that reason.

My thoughts: I will just say that I own the Nike+ Nano setup and I absolutely love it. I’d recommend it to any casual/serious runner, especially those seeking motivation. If you love music, and you even somewhat enjoy running, or are looking for a reason to start running, what are you waiting for?

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