Now that we are in the midst of another Arizona summer, and running outside is a bit uncomfortable, moving your workouts inside to a treadmill makes perfect sense. But, keeping motivated – especially if those workouts have started to plateau, can make it hard to keep on top of those workouts.
Here’s some simple tips that can help you get your maximum treadmill workout, and keep those fitness and health gains coming!
Tip #1: Mix things up. You’ve got your console in front of you, letting you know your pace and heart rate. You can see exactly what your effort and speed is. So –make it fun – make a game out of it. Try changing the incline for the first interval to activate your calves, quads and hamstrings – and pretend you’re running hills in your workout. Changing up the routine not only can help you work other muscle groups, adding to your overall fitness gains, but it also helps you mentally challenge yourself, as staying focused on your workout naturally means you work harder – and better!
Tip#2: “Go with the Flow”. Don’t just run all-out for your workout. Listen to what your body can do. After a hard interval, follow it with an easier one. During that easy interval, decide if you need another hard interval, or if you should change things up with a different routine. Always pushing hard can not only lead to burnout, but also to diminishing returns. Having a day where you run at a more relaxed pace, rather than knocking yourself out on every workout, helps to avoid burnout as well!
Tip #3: Copy a Race! If you’re training for an upcoming race – copy it! In other words, take a look at the map of your intended race, and plan how you would run it – where would hills, slow spots, and fast downhills exist on the course? Then, tailor your workout to match this. Not only can this give you come excitement and confidence for when you do run the race, it also gives you motivation to get on your treadmill on those days where getting motivated can be difficult.
And, if you’re looking for some incredible cardio equipment that includes the fitness industry’s top treadmills, visit any of Fitness 4 Home Superstore’s 3 Valley locations! We can help you find the perfect treadmill that can meet your fitness needs!
