I know, I know – running on a treadmill can be a real drag.
It’s like running in place, with no change of scenery, and you might even feel like a hamster on a wheel. This is especially the case if you’re used to running outdoor, venturing into uncharted territories, and exploring the wilderness.
Worry no more.
In this article, I’m spilling all my secrets on how to spice up your indoor runs. Imagine actually enjoying your treadmill time and seeing some awesome results to boot. Ready to give your indoor running a makeover?
Sounds like a good deal?
Let’s get started.
Setting The Right Goals
As far as I can tell, the foundation for making the most out of the treadmill lies in setting a clear goal. How come? Simple. Goals give your training purpose and direction, which can turn mundane activities into exciting milestones.
You might be already familiar with it, but the best way to set goals is to go after SMART goals. Let me explain:
Here’s how to set the right treadmill running goals.
- Specific: Define your goals with precision. Instead of saying, “I want to improve my 5K time,” specify, “I want to complete a 5K in under 30 minutes.”
- Measurable: Make your goals quantifiable so that you can track your progress. For example, “I aim to run 5 kilometers without stopping in 8 weeks.”
- Achievable: Set goals that challenge you but are within your reach. Starting with a goal of running a 5K without prior training may be too ambitious. Instead, consider intermediate goals, such as completing a 5K walk/run program first.
- Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your personal aspirations and fitness level. They should be meaningful to you and your journey.
- Time-Bound: Set a timeframe for achieving your goals. Having a deadline adds urgency and structure to your training.
Create a Treadmill-Friendly Environment
Our environment defines us. That’s why setting up the right setting plays a crucial role in how enjoyable your treadmill training can be.
Take the following steps to create a treadmill-friendly space.
- Comfortable Setup: Ensure your treadmill area is comfortable. Use a fan or open a window for ventilation, and place a towel and a water bottle within reach for convenience.
- Lighting: Adequate lighting makes a workout space pleasant. Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, have bright, evenly distributed artificial lighting. Consider placing your treadmill near a window or using full-spectrum bulbs to mimic natural daylight.
- Temperature Control: Keep a comfortable temperature in your workout area. If it tends to get too hot or too cold, invest in a small heater or fan to regulate the climate.
- Organized Space: Keep your workout area clean and clutter-free. An organized space creates a sense of order and can make your runs feel more inviting.
- Hydration Station: Place a water bottle and towel within easy reach of your treadmill. Staying hydrated and wiping away sweat as needed can make your runs more comfortable.
- Entertainment Options: Set up a tablet or TV in front of your treadmill to watch your favorite shows, movies, or streaming workouts. Entertainment can make time fly by.
- Music or Podcasts: Create energizing playlists or listen to podcasts that interest you. Music can boost your mood, and engaging podcasts can make the time more enjoyable.
- Training Apps: Explore fitness apps and virtual running experiences that simulate outdoor routes or offer guided workouts. These can add variety and excitement to your runs.
- Personalize the Space: Create an inspiration board on the wall with quotes, images, or goals that motivate you. Visual cues can help you stay focused and positive during your runs.
Watch A TV Show
The best strategy for beating boredom during indoor running is a distraction. Your brain needs something to get busy with instead of the machine’s dashboard.
And I hate to state the obvious, but watching TV is the ultimate form of distraction. It‘s fun and hassle-free. It doesn’t have to be your favorite show; any sort of visual distraction can help get you out of boredom.
A fan of online TV? Save your Netflix shows and download movies (hopefully legally) to watch during your treadmill runs.
Go for shows you don’t have to be too involved in and would rarely let yourself sit around and watch. Keep it light.
Need some good ideas? Here’s a list of my favorite shows:
- How I Met Your Mother
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Casa De Papel
- Stranger Things
- Daredevil
- Into the Badlands
- Preacher
- Supernatural
Hit the Treadmill With a Friend
Pairing up is one of the most effective ways to make any exercise more enjoyable— and that’s true of the treadmill as well.
Also, a little friendly competition can go a long way.
Next time you head to the gym, pair up with a friend. Feel free to do interval workouts together or challenge each other by racing. You can also try treadmill group classes.
Additional Resource – What’s A Good 5K Time For A Beginner.
Listen to a Podcast
Listening to a podcast while pounding the belt is an excellent way to distract yourself while staying updated on the latest trends and events.
There are plenty of good and informative podcasts to suit any interest. Here are a few of my favorites:
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- The RT Podcast
- The Pete Schiff Podcast
If you’re not into podcasts, then try an audio version of a book you wanted to read (but probably won’t). Or brush up on some German before your next trip to Berlin. The choices are virtually limitless.
Visualize a Route
This one requires a bit of creative imagination, but it’s super helpful for making treadmill running more real and fun.
Here’s how to proceed.
Imagine yourself running along and picture the buildings, surroundings, and other landmarks you’d pass along the way.
Go the extra step by printing out a real-world route map, indicating the distances and inclines, and then imagine yourself tackling it. If possible, find a treadmill with built-in satellite mode Google Maps so you can pretend that you’re outside running.
Got an upcoming race? Visualize your racecourse during your treadmill session. Push hard during the last few miles and finish strong at the finish line.
You can also check out YouTube for virtual walks. In your virtual world, you can run in the forest, on beaches, in jungles, or in cities like Paris, Rome, London, etc. Explore the world from your treadmill.
You can also try an app like BitGym that allows you to run virtually on routes from around the world from your smartphone or tablet. Have more coins? Try investing in VR glasses. Set it up to your favorite route or scenery during your treadmill session.
Additional resource – Here’s your guide to buying a second-hand treadmill.
Do an Interval Workout
If you usually pound the belt at the same incline and same speed day-in-day-out, your training will get boring—super fast.
Instead, shake things up by doing intervals. High-intensity interval training, or HIIT for short, sessions provide a quick yet effective way to increase training intensity and burn some mad calories—while taking less time, too.
Here’s how to proceed.
Following a thorough warm-up, increase your speed to a sprint for 30 to 45 seconds, then slow it down to an easy jog for 60 to 90 seconds. Repeat the intervals a total of six to eight times.
Finish the workout with a 5-minute slow jog/walk as a cool down.
Here are a few of my favorite routines
- 15 HIIT workouts for beginners
- Five interval running workouts to try
- A treadmill Interval workout
- HIIT workouts for weight loss
Go For The Hills
If increasing speed didn’t do the trick, try raising the incline.
The incline option lets you run uphill without having to worry about finding the perfect hill (time-consuming) or dealing with downhill running known for causing soreness and pain in the lower body).
Additionally, the incline helps you target your lower body—the hamstrings, thighs, and calves—thus adding power and speed. The higher the incline, the more challenge.
Here’s how to proceed.
Following the warm-up, increase the incline on your treadmill to 7 or 9 percent grade and perform two to three minutes intervals at your 10K pace with a 2-minute recovery, easy running between reps.
Repeat the cycle six to eight times, then finish it off with a 5-minute walk as a cool down.
Mix it up
Max out on your next treadmill workout by picking up the pace and the incline and opting for intervals while following an unspecific training pattern.
Choosing on-the-go speed and incline changes forces your body to work different muscles and be more resilient, helping you become a better runner.
Try this unpredictable treadmill workout. Start off with a 5-minute warm-up, then do 20 minutes of random intervals.
Do whatever you want as long as you are pushing the pace and giving it your best. End the workout with a five-minute cool-down.
Plus, you can make this workout more challenging by adding bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups, squats, or even burpees, between each round, making it for a complete and total body workout.
Additional Resource- Your guide to curved treadmills
Tracking Your treadmill running Progress
Ready to take your indoor running game up a notch? Then, it’s time to start tracking your progress. It’s not just about logging miles; it’s about celebrating every step, every sweat drop, and every milestone.
The truth is, you cannot improve on what you cannot measure. Indoor training is no exception. In fact, there’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing those numbers climb. Distance, pace, calories burned – you name it. Watching your progress unfold is a huge motivator.
Whether it’s a faster mile or a longer run, tracking helps you set realistic goals and crush them. Every time you hit a milestone, it’s like giving yourself a high-five.
And guess what? There are some super cool tools and apps out there that can make this process a breeze and a blast!
Let me share with you a few:
- Strava: It’s like the Facebook for runners. Track your runs, compete with friends, and even join challenges. Plus, it’s got this killer feature that lets you compare your indoor runs with outdoor ones.
- Nike Run Club: Here’s your personal running coach in an app. It offers tailored plans, tracks your runs, and gives you that much-needed pep talk. Plus, the community vibe? Absolutely motivating.
- Zwift: Want to run in a virtual world? Zwift is your go-to. It syncs with your treadmill and takes you on virtual runs around digital landscapes. Boredom, be gone!