Bobby asked:


I go on the treadmill at the gym as it is the only damn piece of equipment that can make me fitter and run faster and longer as well as breathe easier. However the damn thing is as boring as hell, even with the tv or radio on. Any ideas on making it more tolerable?

Laurinda

8 Responses to “How do you make running on a treadmill interesting and fun?”

1. bomberb0 on February 24th, 2010 5:51 pm

   running backwards… lol… bring your laptop set it on the thing and surf the web

2. Bob on February 24th, 2010 8:01 pm

   Just music really. You could change up your routine a little, like run hills one day and sprints the next.. GL

3. stixy_stixy on February 27th, 2010 8:06 pm

   When I go on my treadmill, I listen to music, or watch TV. But as you say those are boring… make a game out of it. See how long you can run at a certain speed for, and when you need to slow down, count your breaths/how many steps you take. Go to the gym with somebody so you can talk to somebody or at least have some moral support. The treadmill will never be fun, no matter how you look at it… but these are a few ways to make it a little more tolerable!

4. Fauna on March 2nd, 2010 11:38 am

   Make your own personal song mix that will keep you moving on your iPod. Just make sure you have a special headset that won’t fall off when running.

   ETA: Gabe has a good point. In the gym on the row of treadmills, sometimes I’d get a better run when I’d pretend I was in a race or competition with the runners next to me (just pretending, really to challenge myself a little further).
   And yeah, it may help to be next to someone you find attractive for motivation (or more distracting, embarrassing to be sweating, etc., depending how you take it). Or to be next to someone like you (for you – maybe another guy) to pretend to battle it out.

5. Izzayy on March 5th, 2010 11:04 am

   Listen to an IPod or MP3 player? Bring a friend along to chat. Plan things in your mind. Have a lover stand in front of the treadmil for something to look at.

6. Gabe on March 8th, 2010 6:52 pm

   I might get thumbs down for this, but pick the treadmill next to a girl lol. that will always make running more tolerable. Maybe strike up a convo with her, time flys when you’re feeling good

7. cobes on March 10th, 2010 4:32 am

   Attach a twinkie to a piece of string and attach that to your head, and try to run for it lol. But seriously, try listening to music or if there’s a tv near by, watch tv. That’s what I do.

8. Kell on March 11th, 2010 1:20 am

   This doesn’t really answer your question, but why don’t you try running outside? The scenery is much more interesting, and besides, you get a better workout.