There is no doubt that a workout on a treadmill can be hugely beneficial because you can burn as much as 500 calories in just one 30-minute session.
However it can also be one of the most boring forms of exercise as well because it is no fun at all running (or walking) on the spot for 20 or 30 minutes with no change of scenery.
So in this article I thought I would highlight a few different ways you can keep yourself motivated during each of your workouts on the treadmill.
Set Yourself Targets
One of the best ways to keep yourself motivated is to set yourself targets. If you are just running at the same pace for 30 minutes, then yes you will get bored very easily, but if you set yourself times to beat after certain distances, for example, and maybe vary the incline at different points, then you will force yourself to work harder and it will be a lot more interesting.
Vary Your Workouts
Another way to prevent yourself getting bored is to have different workouts for different days. For example, you could do an intense 30-minute treadmill workout on one day of the week, and then follow this up with a more relaxing walking workout a few days later that will still burn a few hundred calories, but will be a lot easier to perform.
Work Out With A Friend
If you always head to the gym on your own and don’t really have any workout buddies that you can talk to, then a workout on a treadmill can be pretty boring. It can also be really easy to give up after about 5 or 10 minutes because it is just too tedious, and other areas of the gym, such as the weight training sections, for instance, look far more appealing. However if you have a friend alongside you, then you can chat to them during your workout and motivate each other to complete your treadmill workouts. You can also race against them if you really want to push yourself.
Watch TV
If you do find yourself on your own, or if you are using your own treadmill at home, for instance, then it’s always a good idea to place the treadmill in front of a TV because this will keep you entertained and make the time pass a lot quicker. Indeed there are some treadmills that come with their own built-in TV nowdays, which makes this a lot easier.
Listen To Music
You can also listen to some music during your workout because this too will make your workout a lot enjoyable, and if you listen to some upbeat, high-tempo music, you may well find that this will help you to perform your workout at a quicker pace.
Find Something To Read
I myself have always found it difficult to read anything on an exercise bike or a treadmill because I am always moving around too much, and I find it quite hard to concentrate. Nevertheless I thought it was worth mentioning this because I have seen other people at the gym reading a book or a magazine whilst jogging on the treadmill, so you may find that this is another good way of alleviating the boredom.
Reward Yourself
I have already discussed the idea of setting yourself targets, but it’s also a good idea to reward yourself for hitting these targets because this acts as a great motivational tool. For example, you can tell yourself that if you burn 500 calories on the treadmill twice a week for two consecutive weeks, you will reward yourself with a new pair of trainers. Alternatively you could simply give yourself little treats for completing each treadmill workout if you find it really boring because this will definitely help keep you motivated.
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