Treadmills are a fantastic way to bring the gym home with you, and they can make working out so much easier. Instead of having to travel back and forth to the gym, you can simply stay at home and enjoy your workout minus the commute. Lots of treadmills are also extremely portable, allowing you to move them from room to room. This way you can have it in front of the TV if you want to try and keep your mind busy while running. You can even get an under desk treadmill so you can walk and work at the same time. So, if you’re thinking about incorporating a home treadmill into your routine, keep reading and discover out most effective tips to help you get daily exercise from the comfort of your own home.
Walk On An Incline
Walking on the flat treadmill can still be a good workout, but if you want to make it great, then you need to make use of the incline. Walking on the incline at a lower speed can actually be much more effective than walking at a faster speed on a flat surface. It also targets different parts of the body too like your hamstrings and glutes. So, if you’re wanting to get more from your treadmill, then be sure to make use of the incline.
Have The Right Attire
Just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you should dress as if you were going to the gym because essentially, that’s what you’re doing. Make sure you at least change into the right shoes and put on your running trainers. You also should wear proper gym clothes, especially if you need a sports bra. Running puts a lot of impact on your body so you need all the support you can get. It can be easy to sit around in your comfy pjs and then think about hopping straight on the treadmill, but you could actually be hindering your workout. It takes two minutes to get changed into the proper attire, so don’t put half the amount of effort into your workout and you’ll feel way better for it.
Make Use Of Being At Home
Having your own treadmill at home also means you’re in control of the distractions. You might find the gym music or TV too much and you might like to run in a quieter, calmer atmosphere. If that’s the case, make sure you put your treadmill somewhere you’ll be less likely to be disturbed. Alternatively, you might enjoy having music or TV on, but you’d just prefer your own instead of what the gym chooses. You can find lots of portable treadmills that can be easily moved from one room to the next, so if you feel like watching a movie while you run, you can pop it in front of the TV and enjoy your workout. Having a treadmill at home also means you can workout when it’s convenient for you, not just when the gym’s open. So, if you feel like exercising at 10PM, you can or if you wake up at 2AM and feel like you can’t sleep, you could jump onto your treadmill and have a quick walk or jog to tire you out.
Find One That Fits The Space
There are so many different treadmills on the market, but you want to make sure you get one that actually fits your home. If you have one that’s too big and chunky, you could end up feel claustrophobic while on it, as everything around you will be closing in. On the other hand, if you have one that’s too small, you might find it hard to use it safely. You need to think about how much space you have and how much space you need when choosing your home treadmill. You can also find foldable treadmills so if you are limited on space, you can get it out when you need it and put it back when you’re done.
Don’t Forget About Safety
Just because you aren’t in the gym, doesn’t mean you can forget about being safe when you use your treadmill. You need to make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and do things like lubricate the band to keep it well maintained. You also always want to wear the safety cord if it has one. Being at home doesn’t mean you can forgo safety features; it actually means you should enforce them even more so. At the gym, chances are you’re never alone, so if you were to fall there would be someone to help you. But if you’re exercising at home alone, then you’ll need to be extra cautious to ensure that if something were to happen, you’d be safe. You’ll have a much more effective workout if you’re able to do so safely.
Use The Treadmill Programs
Lots of home treadmills come pre-programmed with routines that you can follow to make it easier, so don’t not utilise them the best you can. It might be hard to try and plan your running routine yourself, so make use of the programs available. There are normally ones for all levels of abilities, so you don’t have to throw yourself in at the deep end. Following a program on the treadmill instead of making it up as you go along will enhance your workouts and help you to progress a lot quicker.
Home treadmills can be a fantastic addition to your daily routine, as they can replace a lot of gym time and help boost your fitness levels. However, it’s not as simple as hopping straight on it and hoping for the best. There are things that you need to think about to make your workout as effective as possible. So, the next time you’re thinking about getting on your treadmill, try using some of these tips and you’ll have a much better workout!