Treadmill Workouts

There are many different types of workouts that you can take part in while using your treadmill. There are all kinds to choose from, such as light workouts that are similar to warm-up routines but are a bit longer, mainly to build your endurance and get you used to the idea of working out (especially vital if you have not exercised in a while). In fact, a light workout is considered to be your best foot to start out on if you are a beginner. A light workout involves a medium pace, like speed walking pace, and usually no incline, you continue this workout for over an hour to make it worth your while. After a week or two your body will get very used to the light workout so that you can push your body further and challenge yourself more. You should always start by doing a warm-up, which involves stretching your muscles and a short light exercise (jogging/walking) before doing any workout.  This is to literally warm your muscles up, decreasing the chances of injury.

The second type of workout you can do on your treadmill once your body is familiar with exercising is a medium workout. This workout involves starting at a medium pace and working up to a faster pace day by day. You will begin to see your body getting used to the medium pace that you start out on. Once you see that you are getting used to it you must continue the medium paced workout for a few sessions and then move on to a fast-paced workouts. Start out by medium running and then increase your workout to faster running. Just remember that the point of working out on a treadmill and being successful at it is to keep a continual pace (assuming you are the average user). Try not to over exert yourself by running at too quick a speed because you will not be able to continue such a pace for very long, unless of course you are an advanced user. Just remember that everyone is different, and you should not rush but progress naturally.

After you are successful at training yourself and are getting used to your workouts, you can begin to make your workouts a lot more fun and varied. There are other types of workouts that you can do that are called phasing workouts. Phasing workouts are interesting because it involves phasing in and out of fast and slow paced workout speeds. In the 10-4 phase workout you work out for forty minutes total, in sections of 10 minutes each. On the first 10 minute phase you run at a medium pace. Then you phase out of the medium pace and increase to a full speed pace for another 10 minutes. Then you repeat the first phase as well as the second phase. There are countless training methods you can incorporate such as Interval Training, Fartlek Training and you do not always have to do continuous. Just remember that different training methods use your different energy systems in different ways, and have varied affects on your overall fitness. Just make sure you do further research and use methods that will benefit and motivate you.

Your workouts do not have to be limited solely to exercising on the treadmill. Implement some basic exercises such as sit-ups, press-ups, squats, and even elements of boxercise. These are inexpensive yet efficient methods to develop your fitness. You can always invest in weights and do some weight training  (light weights can help you tone up), and investing in other machines such as a multi gym may not be a bad idea. The golden rule is to keep your workouts varied, so that they are fun and keep you motivated in your journey to improve your fitness!