You religiously head to the gym every day and jump on the treadmill for 60 minutes. Every time you push a little harder than the day before. Or do you? Do you go faster? Further? Burn any extra calories? Try a couple new methods to measure your workouts besides time.
Calories: Most treadmills will track calories burned during a workout. Though these numbers are only estimates, when you program the treadmill with your age and weight they can be fairly accurate. Try setting a goal to burn a certain number of calories during your workout rather than a certain amount of time. The harder you push yourself, the sooner you get to get off.
Heart Rate: Using a heart rate monitor during your workout can be helpful. In order to figure out where you should be training start by figuring out your maximum heart rate. To do this simply take 220 minus your age. That's your maximum heart rate. Try focusing your workout between a percentage of that heart rate. For example, try keeping your heart rate between 75 per cent and 85 per cent of your maximum for a set amount of time.
Distance: Most treadmills measure distance in miles. If you were previously timing your workouts see how far you were going. The next day set your goal to go just a bit further than the day before. Or try to go the same distance in less time. Using distance is especially important if you are training to run a marathon or other specific distance.
Each of these methods will help you add variety to your workout and also help you make your workouts more effective. Pushing a little harder each day will help you get the most out of that dreaded time on the treadmill. For example, a 150 pound person will burn about 360 calories if they walk on the treadmill for an hour. That same person would burn more than 600 if they jogged for the same amount of time.
Exercise is one of life's joys and a treadmill is worth it's weight in gold! Use every feature it has to offer.
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
