Other fitness equipment you can use on a treadmill
Treadmills offer a great workout and a wonderful way to stay in shape for people of all ages and fitness levels.
However, some people find that working out on a treadmill can get boring and monotonous after awhile. Even with a variety of different speeds, inclines, and programs you can use, treadmill boredom is common for people who rely on it as their primary form of exercise.
There are many things you can do to beat treadmill boredom. One of these things is to use other fitness equipment while on a treadmill. This helps to not only vary your workout, but provides a more full body workout as well.
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One important thing to keep in mind when considering using other fitness equipment on the treadmill is the fact that the treadmill's belt is limited in size, so you don't want to do anything that could increase your chance of injury or falling while on the treadmill. For that reason, it's best to stick with simple things like hand weights while on the treadmill.
The following are some other fitness equipment ideas to use while on the treadmill:
Weights
Hand weights are perhaps the best things you can use while on the treadmill. Since your legs are already getting a workout, adding light hand weights (between 3 and 12 pounds, depending on your skill level and strength) can help tone your upper body while your lower body gets a workout on the treadmill.
Some of the exercises you can do with hand weights include bicep curls, tricep curls, and lateral raises. You can also do overhead presses and upright rows, if your treadmill's handles don't get in the way.
Start by doing sets of 10, then lay the weights aside for 5 minutes or so before picking them back up again.
Medicine ball
If you have a medicine ball, you can also use this on the treadmill. Hold it with both hands and lift it up over your head, like an overhead press, to work your arms and shoulders. You can also hold it in front of you by your waist, and lift it up and down to work the biceps.
Interval training
Because it can be dangerous working out on the treadmill with other equipment, another thing you can do is interval training. This is a great way to sneak in weights or other equipment while on the treadmill.
Start out by walking or jogging on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes, and then work in your intervals, then get on for 5 or 10 minutes, then do another interval off the treadmill, then get back on for 5-10 minutes, do another interval, and then hop back on the treadmill to cool down. You can make your work out as long or as short as you'd like. Some equipment you can use off the treadmill includes:
- Exercise bands. Exercise bands can strengthen and tone the arms as well as the legs.
- Jump rope. Use a jump rope for speed intervals off the treadmill, then get back on to walk.
- Weights. Weights are good to use off the treadmill, and you can do more exercises off than you can while walking on the treadmill.
These are just a few ideas of other exercise equipment you can use while on the treadmill to beat boredom and get an all over body workout.
