Health Fitness

How to resurrect your old treadmill and exploit its physical potential

First of all, many of those who have a treadmill at home do not have a typical home gym. Instead, the treadmill is usually found in the basement next to the water heater or in the bedroom next to a pile of clothes.

Like any other type of job, working out on a treadmill requires a supportive environment where you feel good and full of energy. Without a complete gym setup, it’s easy to let the treadmill become another piece of clutter rather than a focal point of the room. So pack up, pick up and dispose of any clutter and make the treadmill a primary focus for the environment.

It’s not the den, or the kids’ room, but now it’s the treadmill room.

The next step is to simply follow a regular schedule. Part of the appeal of home exercise is the idea that you can work out at any time without having to stick to a gym schedule. While this is certainly an advantage, a workout that can be done anytime is usually not done at all.

So schedule your time on the treadmill like any other important activity and champion that time as the essential activity that it is. Don’t fall for the “I can work out later in the day” temptation that home gyms present. Even if you get to exercise later, you’ll likely feel more rushed, more tired, and less motivated after having to “make up” for lost time.

The final step is to make sure your mind can stay occupied while you’re on your treadmill. After all, walking in the same place, even on the best treadmill in the world, can be a pretty boring experience. The best way to solve this problem is not so much to distract the mind as to stimulate it.

I know a lot of people like to watch TV while on the treadmill, but I think this can be a poor mental Band-Aid if you end up just flipping the channel and watching programming you wouldn’t normally watch.

I recommend setting your treadmill time during the time you would normally watch TV so you spend less time sitting and still be able to watch your favorite shows. I’m also a big fan of podcasts because they always give you something new to look forward to and you can learn really cool stuff as you go along.

Also:

You can also find personalized treadmill exercise programs and personalized podcasts that can motivate and guide you with exercises that are more than just a steady beat.

Little things like a circulating fan and a bottle of water can help keep your energy up so exercise doesn’t feel as hard. Also, it’s a good idea to wear traditional workout clothes instead of street clothes to stay cool and comfortable.

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