When people think of treadmills, the first thing that comes to mind is usually running. While running is an excellent exercise on a treadmill, many other options are also available! In this blog post, we will discuss some other activities you can do on a treadmill besides running. We will also provide tips for making your workouts more effective and enjoyable. Let’s get started!
5 Exercises to Try on a Treadmill Besides Running
If you’re looking for some new ideas for exercises to try on your treadmill at home or in the gym, here are a few to get you started:
#1 Walking
The most obvious alternative to running on a treadmill is walking. Walking is a great option for those new to exercising on a treadmill. Start by setting the incline to 0% and the speed to a comfortable pace. You can increase the speed and/or incline as you become more comfortable.
#2 Walking Lunges
Walking lunges are a great way to add variety to your treadmill workout. To do walking lunges on a treadmill, start by setting the speed to a slow pace. Then, lunge forward with one leg, keeping your knee behind your toes. Then, bring your back foot up to the front foot on pace with the treadmill. Alternate and repeat.
#3 Side Shuffles
Side shuffles are a great way to work your legs and improve your balance. To do side shuffles on a treadmill, start by setting the speed to a slow pace. Then, shuffle to the right for one minute (side step). Be sure to keep your feet on the belt and your shoulders square. After one minute, shuffle to the left for one minute. You can make this challenging by assuming a squat position as well.
#4 Planks Alternatives
Treadmills are a great way to mix up your plank routine. Set the speed to a slow pace to do planks on a treadmill. Get in a plank position and place your hands on the belt under you (feet behind you and off the treadmill). Then, keeping your core engaged, walk with your hands for as long as you can maintain good form.
Additionally, you can try walking with your feet if you flip around so your hands are off the treadmill.
#5 Using Your Treadmill as a Base
You can even use your treadmill when it is off. For example, you can use the base or handles to do tricep dips, bridges, and pushups. Just be sure the treadmill is unplugged (or at least off) and the emergency stop is engaged before you get on.
Tips for Making Your Workouts More Effective and Enjoyable
In addition to trying new exercises, there are a few other things you can do to make your treadmill workouts more effective and enjoyable:
Mix It Up to Keep It Interesting
Treadmills get a bad reputation for being quite dull. However, there are many ways to make your treadmill workouts more exciting and effective. You can avoid dreaded treadmill boredom by trying new exercises and mixing up your routine. So get out there and start exploring all that your treadmill has to offer!