Achieving a perfect Treadmill Workout
If you thought treadmills are only for jogging then you are caught on the wrong foot! With a little creativity and innovation you can transcend your treadmill workout to a challenging experience. Here are some useful tips for making a powerful treadmill workout. Obviously, it’s good to consult your doctor before you kick off a new exercise program or increase the intensity of your present workouts.
Dumbbells/Hand Weights
Are you baffled by the strange thought that during workouts while the legs strain well the hands hang free or just hold on to the handle bars? Have you ever thought of the possibility of taking five to ten pound hand weights while you walk? If you are hanging on to the safety bars of your treadmill, then make a slow start lest you might fall and gradually pitch up the speed as you gain poise. At the end of this vigorous walk, both the upper and lower body would have benefited from a good treadmill workout.
Reverse walk
Walking backwards is best done at slow speeds and without clinging on to the bars. Reverse walk, tones up your leg muscles and challenges you to maintain your balance as well. Once you have completed this treadmill workout, you are most likely to develop sprains or pain in muscles that you never knew you had; this only means that your muscles are getting the right workouts.
Speed intervals
Warm up for some time before starting this method of workout. The ideal way to perform this exercise is to sprint fast for a minute or so then slow down a bit for a two minute respite. This work out cycle should be repeated five to eight times, and this is a perfect illustration of a good aerobic treadmill workout.
Incline Intervals
Warming up is the first step for this exercise as well. Walk at your normal pace for five minutes, after which the incline of your machine should be set at four or five. Keep walking for another five minutes, then the incline could be brought back to zero. This cycle can be repeated two times for the best possible results.
Toes and Heels
Walk at your normal pace for five minutes, then hold back your speed and stride on your tiptoes for half a minute. Repeat this cycle twice, to work out the various muscles of your legs and feet.
A perfect treadmill workout need not be dreary, as there are many interesting and challenging activities that can be packed on to the workout routines to retain your interest while keeping your mind and body in excellent condition.
