5 Tips for Making Treadmill Running More Enjoyable

Many people find treadmill running to be boring, never-ending, and for some reason, much harder than running outside. The last one being true, as the way the treadmill belt propels you forward means you use less of your hamstring muscles. Your quads are doing most of the legwork instead, causing you to work them a bit harder than if you were outside. This change can impact your natural running gait slightly and make your overall effort seem a little harder. Running on a treadmill doesn’t have to be boring though!

Here are 5 Tips for Making Treadmill Running More Enjoyable.

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1. Listen to an audiobook.

Download an audiobook and commit to running for a certain length of the book, like 3 chapters, rather than a set distance. This can help you forget about the amount of time you’ve been on the treadmill, as you get lost in the story.

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2. Read a traditional book.

This one may require some coordination but is an incredibly helpful tip for students! Studies show that we retain information better when we study while being active.  Play with the speed on the treadmill a bit while getting started, and see what pace is best for you. This is also a wonderful tip for treadmill walkers.

3. Watch Television.

Plan your treadmill runs around watching an episode of your favorite show! 30 minutes? 1 hour? the show determine how long you run for! Most treadmills nowadays have screens for streaming or watching television already integrated into their monitors. Watching 1, 2, or even 3 episodes of your favorite show on your run is a lot more enjoyable than looking at the time every few minutes!

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4. Go on an adventure.

If your treadmill has a monitor that’s compatible with streaming and watching television, chances are it also has an option to select a pre-determined route, where the monitor takes you on a scenic journey through mountains, a forest, or even a busy city. These routes often will let you have pre-programmed incline and speed changes throughout the run, while still providing the option for you to change the speed and incline to meet your physical capabilities.

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5. Cover up your display.

Did you know, time still passes even if you don’t watch the clock? Staring at the clock on a treadmill can make time move much slower. Toss a towel over the number display or position your tablet or phone over the elapsed time while you listen to music.? You’ll be surprised by how much time flies!

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Looking for upcoming runs near Philadelphia? 

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