How to Make Your Treadmill Workout Interesting

Many of you no doubt hear the word ‘cardio’ and automatically picture yourself running endlessly on treadmills and hating every second of it. Thankfully, that’s not the only route to trimming your shape and burning that unwanted fat. By mixing up your treadmill sessions to incorporate High Intensity Interval Training, otherwise known as HIIT, and taking advantage of what your treadmill has to offer – you can turn your mundane sprints into challenging, effective and varied cardio sessions. Power Intervals Power intervals consist of 60-90 seconds of work alternated with 30 seconds rest. The idea is that you run/walk flat-out for your ‘work’ period, and drop the speed/incline during the ‘rest’ period so you're working at a lower intensity. Doing this for anywhere between 10-20 minutes will have you sweating buckets, and with the constant adjustments it'll be over before you know it! Tabata Training Tabata consists of 20 seconds of work alternated with 10 seconds rest, repeating each 30 second set 8-10 times. What makes this different from Power Intervals is that you stop dead still during each 10 second ‘rest’ period. Again, this'll work you far harder than a normal jog or power walk. Turbulence Training Turbulence Training consists of weight training alternated with high intensity cardio. The idea is that you lift weights for 8-10 reps and then you hop onto the treadmill and complete a high intensity sprint for 2 minutes. Do this for a total period of 20 minutes or so, and you'll be feeling the burn in no time at all. Take Advantage of the Workout Programs Most new treadmills offer enough programs to leave your spoilt for choice every time you step onto the machine. With endless training programs built to suit various types of person, fitness levels and end goals, you will always find something that’s relevant to your fitness progression targets. For example, on the new NordicTrack C500 Folding Treadmill, you have access to 32 programs – some of which are aimed specifically at that crucial heart rate control for the ultimate session. What more could you want from a treadmill? Set Challenges to Hit New PBs Whether you want to reach a new incline, complete your workout in a faster time or hit a higher speed, setting challenges are the best way to keep you motivated in order to hit those new personal bests. If you focus more on these factors instead of the remaining workout duration, sooner or later the length of the workouts will be the last thing on your mind. Don’t want to go at it alone? Challenge a friend, family member or colleague to see who can hit the new PB first… Like the sound of these treadmill workouts? Treat yourself to upgraded cardio equipment and shop our NEW NordicTrack C500 Folding Treadmill for £999 – featuring included iFit Live subscription for 12 months!