Try Some Fun Treadmill Exercises! By Christopher Smith At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

If you think that you can only do limited things on a treadmill, think again. After all, with a little imagination and innovation, you can make your treadmill workout just as challenging as you would like. Here are a few suggestions for creating an intense treadmill workout. Of course, it's always a good idea to check with a doctor before you start a new exercise program or up the intensity of your current workouts.

Hand Weights and Dumbbells

Hand Weights and dumbbells add a new level to your exercise routine. When you decide to buy a treadmill it is because you want to get into shape. While walking is an excellent routine, adding dumbbells and hand weights will give you a total body workout. It is important however to start very slowly to avoid any accidents, and gradually increase your pace while moving your arms holding the dumbbells.

Walk Backwards

It is obviously best to do this at a slow pace and without hanging onto the bars. Walking backwards uses the muscles in your legs in a whole new way and challenges you to pay attention to your balance as well, which is incredibly important in any sort of exercise routine. After this treadmill workout, you are guaranteed to develop aches in muscles that you never knew you had; remember that this is a good thing however, and that this means that your muscles are truly getting worked out.

Speed Intervals

Be sure to warm up with some stretches before you try this technique, as with any other type of physical exercise. The best way to do a speed interval exercise is to walk or run as fast as you can for one minute. Then slow the pace down for a two-minute breather. After the two minutes are up, do another minute at full speed, and so on. Repeat this cycle five to eight times, as this is an excellent example of a good aerobic treadmill workout.

Changing Incline Intervals

Again, be sure to warm up before you try this exercise. Walk as you normally would for five minutes. Then set the incline on your machine to four or five. Continue walking for another five minutes, then return the incline to zero. Repeat this cycle two times for maximum benefit.

Walking On Toes And Heels

A toes and heels exercise is an excellent routine for your treadmill workout. It is very easy to do and it will exercise the muscle in your lower legs and feet. Start out walking with your normal routine. After five minutes of walking, raise yourself up on your tiptoes and walk for thirty seconds and return to your normal walking for another five minutes. Then do the same procedure only on your heels. Repeat this procedure two more times. You will definitely feel the results.

A good treadmill workout doesn't have to be boring, and there are many challenging and fun exercise routines that you can do in order to keep your mind and your body in tip top shape.

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