FitSugar

No Headphones? 5 Ways to Entertain Yourself on the Treadmill

Leta Shy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:44:44 PST

I love running on the treadmill, but let's be honest: it's not the most entertaining workout. I usually distract myself from counting down the minutes with a good playlist, audiobook, or tuning in to the gym's TVs. When I forget to take my running headphones, however, I have to entertain myself in an entirely different way. Here are some ways to keep yourself entertained (not to mention motivated!) when you can't do your normal headphones-on, tune-everything-out routine.

Change up your intervals: You should be doing this anyway once you've mastered your current workout, but if you're used to going through the motions, now's the time to change your intervals or the speed of your high-intensity runs.
Take a fit test: See how fast you can run in a set period - say, five minutes - without stopping (make sure you don't overdo it, though - stay at a level where you don't feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy). Doing a fit test regularly is a good way to gauge your progress if you've been running regularly and if it's time to pick up the pace. Plus you may be surprised by just how fast you can really go!

Read on for more.

Treadmill vs. Stationary Bike

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:00:56 PST

When it comes to working out some people love the treadmill and others are all about using a stationary bike. Is one better at burning more calories though? Take this quiz to find out.

*All calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

Take the Quiz

How Fast Am I Moving on the Treadmill?

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:07:07 PST

If frigidly chilly weather has made it unbearable to walk or run outside, you've probably moved your workouts indoors to the trusty treadmill. Although I prefer the fresh air and excitement of exercising in my neighborhood or on woodsy trails, I do love that a treadmill keeps track of my speed and how long I've been working out.

However, the treadmill readout can be a little confusing, especially since some machines display your speed in miles per hour and some show it in minutes per mile. If you're curious to know how fast you're moving on the treadmill both per hour and per mile, then check out this handy chart. It also lists your speed and how many calories you burn at each rate.

Continue reading to see the treadmill conversion chart.

Intense Cardio For Those Who Hate the Treadmill

Leta Shy — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:41:31 PDT

I'm a fan of the treadmill, but I have many otherwise fitness-loving friends who'd rather do almost anything else than a 30-minute gym run. If you're the same, here are other ways to reap the same calorie-burning benefits without a seemingly boring run.

Try a different machine: Think your cardio only comes from the treadmill? Think again. Raise your heart rate with another machine at the gym. Try a spinning class to burn major calories, check out the row machine for an all-body workout, or go full-force on the elliptical. Each of these will burn major calories while being less hard on your legs and knees.

Intervals: Many people say they hate the treadmill because it's boring and don't think that they can run for a long time. High-intensity intervals help in both these cases. And you don't have to stick to the treadmill. Bundle up with your favorite cold-weather running gear and hit the trails, and alternate your vigorous runs with jogging.

More intense cardio ideas after the break.

The 500-Calorie-Burning Treadmill Workout

FitSugar — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:30:04 PDT

Weight loss on your mind? Kick it up a notch in the workout department with this 41-minute interval workout for the treadmill that will burn about 500 calories. Complete it five times in a week and you are well on your way to burning an extra 3,500 calories - the magic number of calories it takes to lose one pound in a week. This means you would need to cut out about 150 calories daily from your food intake to meet that goal. Not too difficult right?

Continue reading to see this 500-calorie-burning interval workout

Treadmill Tips, Workouts, and Tricks For All Fitness Levels

FitSugar — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:52:35 PDT

If you're stuck indoors, treadmills are an excellent way to get in some cardio time - minus wet weather or pollen counts. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced treadmill user, here is everything you need to know to get the most out of this favorite cardio machine.

Treadmill Workout Routines: These four different treadmill workouts: beginner, intermediate intervals, running hills, and sprint intervals, can be downloaded to accompany you to the gym!
How to Burn More Calories: From competing against friends to increasing the speed, here are some ways to make that treadmill work extra hard for you!
The Forty Minute Walking/Running Workout: Perfect for beginners, this workout helps your body ease into it while also adjusting to the physical demands of running.
Increase the Incline Like Jennifer Aniston: Cranking the incline helps you burn more calories than if you keep the machine set to a zero grade. You can also use the incline button to take yourself for a hilly hike with this walking workout.

Keep reading for more tips.

Do You Suffer From Exercise Equipment Buyer's Remorse?

Heather Dale — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:40:46 PDT

Pop into a Saturday garage sale and you'll surely see one of these exercise machines for sale. Price tag? $50 or best offer.

These high-ticket items used to be all the rage until they started collecting dust in our basements when we decided we'd rather get fit outside or go to the gym. After our Guess the Fad Exercise Quiz, I couldn't help but think of the exercise equipment I no longer use but had to have back in the day. Are there any machines that you wish you had never bought? Or maybe you are one of the few who has a shiny new elliptical or treadmill that gets used every day?

What's Your Average Treadmill Speed?

Susi May — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:30:30 PST

It's nearing the end of a long Winter, and chances are high that you've been logging some indoor miles on the treadmill. Lately, I've been rocking a negative split run on the machine. This keeps me upping the speed of the treadmill as my workout moves along, but my average speed is 6.3 miles per hour. I know for some that this might feel like a snail's pace, but for others a wee bit fast - to each her own speed. When you're on the treadmill what's your average pace? Feel free to check this speed conversion chart if you need a little guidance.

Get Up and Get Moving: Your Older Self Will Thank You

Heather Dale — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:30:49 PST

I know I'm preaching to the choir when I say that exercise does a body good. Not only does it make your exterior look svelte, but it also heals your insides too.

Well a recent study at McMaster University took it to the next level, analyzing the role that exercise plays in the aging process. What they found is that the aging process occurs because of defects to our mitochondria - mitochondria are the CEOs of our cells where energy production occurs. They note that with regular endurance exercise we can prevent premature aging in nearly every organ of the body. How's that for exercise doing a body good?

So if you needed a good reason to jump-start your Spring workouts, take this info as a token of exercise inspiration. Just be sure to crank up "Move It, Move It" and picture the millions of happy mitochondria as you break a sweat.

Get Fit Challenge 5: A Reader's Treadmill Workout

Fit Community — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:00:50 PST

FitSugar reader eatingbirdfood shared her treadmill workout for the fifth challenge of our Get Fit For 2011 giveaway.

I really enjoy walking or running outdoors, but it's been way too cold here in VA for outdoor workouts so I've been a gym rat for the past few months. Here's one of my recent treadmill workouts. I like it because it switches from walking to running and also changes inclines, keeps your mind busy, and goes by faster than if you were doing the same pace for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Share your latest workout (cardio, strength training, warm-up) in our Get Fit For 2011 challenge group to enter to win a $100 Nike gift card and a chance to win our grand prize - a four-day fitness boot camp in LA!