Defeat Treadmill Boredom

Why do some people love running on their treadmills while others find it boring? 

It’s easy to say that some people are motivated and some aren’t, but it may be better to ask how those people who love it think about and structure their workouts.  In that way, we can imitate them in the hope that we too can keep from getting stale and just keep on running!

There are three general ways to do this – one is by doing more, another is by doing less, and the other is by doing different.  First, the doing more.

Do More – You can do more by multitasking. The thought here is that you are so busy doing something else that you forget about the treadmill.

There are treadmill desks that allow you to work at your desk while walking or jogging on your treadmill.  This could be a problem is your job is cutting diamonds, but for most paperwork and some computer work, it works surprisingly well. Working while running on the treadmill wouldn’t seem to work well for someone who doesn’t like their work.  For them, it may have the opposite of the intended effect.  They might end up loving using the treadmill because it takes their mind off their work!

If you use a headset for talking on the phone, you can yak away all you want while on your treadmill.  If you were going to make these calls anyway, this is a great alternative.  Just be careful who you call; you don’t want your heavy breathing to be misinterpreted.  On the other hand, you could also use the treadmill as an excuse for the heavy breathing you were going to do anyway.

What else you need to accomplish?  Can you multitask it?  You can even learn a language listening and repeating the lessons while running.

There is also a great variety of computer-based games you can play, many of which are built in to some treadmills.  GameFit is a program where your running actually affects the results of the game. For example, there may be a race track shown on your screen where you run against an electronic competitor, climb hills, or even defeat evil forces.

Similarly, there are programs that keep track of your previous results so that you can attempt to surpass them.  Many of these programs are designed by personal trainers to lead you through progressive workouts that you choose depending on your goals and your state of fitness.  One of the best-selling programs like this is called iFit.

Perhaps the most popular distraction is music.  Many treadmills have sound systems that are iPod-compatible so you can just plug in your favorites and listen while you work out.  However, any sound system in the room will do.  There is something about music that brings out our physical movements and louder is probably better!

Even better than music is running alongside a friend and talking to them.  Of course, they don’t have to be running too, but treadmills do give this distinct advantage over running outside.  With running, two people have to run at the same pace to talk.  It is unlikely that they would naturally do this. With treadmills, the two people can run at different speeds and still be next to each other.  Einstein would have fun with that one!

Of course, there’s always the TV.  Don’t want to get up off the couch because your favorite show is on?  You can’t use that excuse anymore.

Do Less -- Does it seem like this is all a great attempt to mentally avoid the discomfort of training?  That question leads to the other, perhaps better, category of avoiding boredom; concentrate on your workout.  Our minds are racing all day with things we should do, things we shouldn’t do, and things we should have done.  Vigorous exercise is a great way to clear all that out.  What if you could completely forget about work, the kids, and food?  What if you could be completely in the moment, get into the Zone, and, for a short time, be a purely physical being?  I suspect this is how most people who aren’t bored while workout out do it.

It could be as simple as concentrating on the beat of the music, your desired body image, or a clearly-defined goal.  Whatever it is, banish the details of your life and concentrate on something very simple.  If you don’t feel like a Zen master, you can try a more mundane version.  Concentrate on the readouts on the console of the treadmill.  Even if it’s just how much time you have to go, you can break it down into small segments and track your progress.

Do Different – There’s actually one more category of boredom fighters – break up your routine.  This could mean running at varying speeds and varying resistance of your workout. For example, adjust the incline or use dumbbells while running.  It could also mean some days staying off the treadmill completely and doing other kinds of exercises.  Doing the same thing everyday can make anything boring.  It’s consistency that will get you results.  Remember the tortoise and the hare?  Fitness is a lifelong habit.  It is not a race.