Treadmills are the ubiquitous piece of fitness equipment-they seem to be everywhere. Typically, when an exerciser buys an at home piece of cardio equipment, they opt for the treadmill-which is a great idea, if you use it. However, it is easy to grow bored and find yourself using it as a clothes rack.
In order to keep yourself motivated and on that treadmill, there are some things you can do. First, make sure to choose the home treadmill that best suits your needs. There are folding treadmills that save space and, obviously, fold up out of the way when not in use. If you don’t have a room devoted solely to working out, this may be a good option for you. After all, these machines can take up a lot of room in a bedroom or living room. Or, you may be a person who likes a lot of upgrades and gadgets. If so, look for one of the newer models that offer different preprogrammed workouts, such as hill climbs or intervals. There are even treadmills out now that have video monitors for you to watch that show outdoor scenes as you walk or run. These city scenes, beach scenes, wooded climbs, etc serve to motivate and keep the exerciser interested. Some of these video monitors include a virtual trainer that will provide motivation as you walk or run, updating you on your progress as you go and offering encouragement as you near your goals.
Additionally there are some things you can do to help yourself stay motivated while working out. The first thing you should do is write down your goals and chart your progress as you make your way towards those goals. Vary your workouts. One day, plan to do sprints, with brief intervals in between to let the heart rate come down. Another day, increase your incline and really work the muscles in your legs. Variety is the key-it will help you find gains in your workout and will keep you motivated.
Robin Dwyer is a fitness enthusiast and consultant for FitnessLyceum.com. We sell a large selection of treadmills and all types of fitness equipment from leading manufacturers at competitive prices.