Question:
How to make treadmill workout more interesting?

Okay, I can watch tv, or listen to a CD or something but I am up to over an hour on the treadmill (training for a charity walk) and while it makes me feel soooooooooo good, it is boring! I do vary my speed and the incline on the machine periodically for a challenge. I also do arm exercises while on the treadmill. How do you make your workout interesting?    — M. B. (posted on December 27, 2002)

December 26, 2002
I used to take a soap and watch it while I walked. I also would set grouping of 7 minutes - 5 minutes at normal speed and low incline and then 2 minutes at higher speed and incline. Because you were going through multiple group cycles it kept it more interesting. Pretty soon I'd be through 6-8 groups and have a great walk in. Also walk outside. If you don't have a dog to walk borrow one. Most neighbors would love to let their dogs go for a walk.
   — zoedogcbr

December 26, 2002
I do treadmill primarily for my exercise and up to 45 minutes several times a week. I never get bored watching TV but make sure that I arrange my workouts around my favorite shows or the news. I also channel surf during commercials! You may want to consider renting movies and watching those for your workout. You could do 1/2 a movie during one workout and finish it up the next workout. You'd probably want to get on the treadmill just to see the end of a good movie..something else that might work for you is books on tape. I use these in the car while driving but you could always strap on a tape player and do it while on the treadmill. Get a good trashy romance! There are times when I don't want to get out of my car because I'm at a good part in the book...I find when I take my mind off the workout, it goes by rather quickly.
   — Cindy R.

December 26, 2002
I have heard someone is coming out with a treamil tied to a tv. The futher and faster you walk the faster the scenery changes. This would be great! At disney florida epcot center health pavillion outside of body wars ride they had exercise bikes with a moinitor showing disney in california. The aster you peddled the more of the park you got to see. I really enjoyed that!
   — bob-haller

December 27, 2002
I'm a heavy-duty walker myself and basically just gave up on using the treadmill, once I reached 3 mile+ sessions. It was just too darn boring!! I decided to start taking walks outside whenever possible and inside at the local YMCA track when the weather was poor. It has improved my enjoyment of exercise tenfold. I also listen to a Walkman with very upbeat music to keep my speed up. This helps too.
   — Terissa R.

December 27, 2002
There is a company called Sports Music which sells many, many different tapes. They have tapes for walking, bike riding, rowing machines, step aerobics, etc. They also have different speeds, like beginner, intermediate and advanced and all different kinds of music, jazz, classical, marching music (my favorite for walking), 60s, big band, etc., etc., etc. I believe their website is www.sportsmusic.com.
   — garw