Workout Variations to Improve Your Cardio Routine

A treadmill is a great type of gym equipment that can help you get the results that you have always wanted because it effectively works out your cardiovascular system so that you can lose weight by burning through calories and fat. But it is also a great way to build up your muscles, from your core all the way down to your calves. To make the most out of each and every workout on the treadmill, and to keep yourself motivated enough to get on the treadmill every day, though, workout variations are key. This will not only prevent boredom, but it will also ensure that your muscles themselves never get too used to the workout to the point that they stop progressing and getting stronger.

To keep your body guessing every single time you get onto the treadmill, try out a few of the treadmill workout variations below. Test them out and see which ones you like best and then just stick with them by rotating them into your routine every few days. Remember, not every variation will work for everyone, so trying them out is necessary first in order to determine what works for you and what does not work for your unique body and level of fitness.

A treadmill is a great type of gym equipment that can help you get the results that you have always wanted because it effectively works out your cardiovascular system so that you can lose weight by burning through calories and fat.

Incorporate Kickboxing Moves Into Your Treadmill Jog

Aerobic workouts that include kickboxing techniques are hugely popular both at the gym during special workout classes as well as at home using special exercise DVDs. So why not incorporate those techniques into your treadmill routine? After all, if the kickboxing moves can get your heart rate up on solid ground, they will probably work even better while you are jogging on a treadmill.

Keeping your balance and coordination together as you punch while you run on a treadmill will really get your heart rate up and will further improve your stability, so this is a fun workout variation that you can do when you want to take your treadmill workout to the next level and when you no longer want to be bored with your routine.

Start by warming up on the treadmill as you normally do. Slowly pick up the pace until you are at a full jog. At this point, you can begin punching or jabbing your arms out. Every time you step down with your feet, send an arm out. But make sure that you control the move and really use your arm muscles, from your shoulders to your forearms. Do not just throw the arm out. Really feel the movement, control it, and put power behind it. And remember not to lock your elbow and maintain good posture. You will definitely feel the difference.

Walk Backwards on the Treadmill

To target different muscle groups, consider walking backwards for a few minutes. You will need to perform this workout at a slower pace, making sure you are comfortable enough with the speed and movement so that you will not stumble, fall, and hurt yourself.

Walking backwards causes your body to engage all of the muscles of your core, hips, and legs that normally are not used as much when you are walking forward, so this provides your body with a new challenge that will keep things fresh at the gym and at home on your very own treadmill. Take a few minutes every day to perform this exercise in addition to your regular routine and you should notice that your muscles grow even stronger even more quickly and that you are feeling sore in brand new places that you typically never felt sore in before.

Walk Sideways on the Treadmill

Another change that you can make to your treadmill workout routine involves walking sideways. Again, you will need to really slow down the pace for this exercise because it could be dangerous to go about it with too much speed, so take your time. The last thing that you want to do is try out a variation only to get hurt and be unable to get back onto your treadmill for days or weeks.

Just like walking backwards, walking sideways really engages the outer and inner thighs and the hips even more so than walking forward, so if these are problem areas for you, definitely try out this technique and see how you feel as you do it, as well as how your body feels afterward. You may be surprised by the great results.

Incorporating variations into your typical treadmill workout routine will definitely help you stay motivated, and it will also keep your body guessing. This is extremely important if you wish to avoid hitting any plateaus. Give these variations a try, but definitely try to come up with some variations of your own that will further challenge your entire body and help you develop your muscles and your endurance even more quickly.