Non-Running Workouts on a Treadmill
One of the most common workout equipment in a gym is the treadmill. It’s a bit large, and people tend to notice it quite quickly. Even for those who have never gone to the gym, you can promptly tell its primary function. Running is an excellent exercise for your cardio, and before you start, it’s advisable to get the best running shoes for treadmill to ensure your stability and comfort. However, if you have been avoiding the treadmill for the same reason, you need to get back on track.
These workouts below ensure that you still get to utilize that treadmill; the only difference is that you won’t be running this time.
1. Mountain Climbing
This is like typical mountain climbing, except for here, you won’t be on the actual mountain but the treadmill. The first thing to recall is that this exercise is not done in the machine’s front part; you have to go behind that treadmill. Then you get yourself in a plank position, with hands on the floor and your foot on the treadmill. You will need some stable and robust hands for this treadmill exercise because you will be supporting your entire body with those hands. Then you move one foot to your chest; the other one is left on the treadmill to push the belt away. You have to exchange your foot simultaneously, and you’re good to go.
2. Plank Walk
If you thought running is one of the challenging treadmill exercise options, then plank walks will give you a hell of a day at the gym. Unlike normal walking, where you use your feet, with plank walks, it is the hands that are doing most of the heavy work. Go behind the treadmill, on a plank position facing the treadmill with your feet on the floor. Put your feet apart to ensure stability during the plank walk, then lift one hand of the treadmill; as you do this, the other hand will be pushing the belt. For this treadmill workout, you also have to ensure that you exchange your hands simultaneously, just like you were doing with your feet in mountain climbing.
3. Walking Lunges
The best treadmill workouts for beginners are walking lunges. Just like you could have done it on the gym floor, the only difference is now you will be shifting as the belt moves. With feet at a hip-width distance apart, you can either put your hands on your side or your chest. Left leg forward, bend your right knee to a right-angled position as you lower your body, shifting your weight. You alternate as you lift your body and alternate switching the foot, the right now at the front while the left one bends at an angle of 90 degrees. This workout will fully engage your hamstrings and glutes; nonetheless, you have to ensure that you consistently alternate your foot as you repeat the process.
4. Side Squat Shuffle Treadmill Workout
This is a squat that is done on your sideways for your side but. If you have done any squat exercise, it would be easy to position yourself; however, you may find it challenging for beginners during the first two days. Place your feet apart, then place your body in such a manner that it looks like you are trying to sit down. Hands should be straight in front of you and your chest straight up. Don’t forget to set the speed if you want this treadmill workout plan to be effective. Then you move forward but in a sideways motion; once you reach the edge, change your direction to face the opposite side. If you were going on your left, now you will be moving on your right. This treadmill workout is result oriented if you do it in the right way.
Conclusion
Before you engage in any treadmill workout, you need to know how to use a treadmill to avoid any mishaps in the gym. If you set the speeds at a very high pace and you don’t intend to run, then things might not go very well for you. Get a gym instructor to help you out with these exercises if you try them for the first time until you can now do them independently. You don’t have to avoid using the treadmill anymore; if running doesn’t work out for you, you can select any of these workouts mentioned above or even try them all. One good thing about treadmill workouts is that you get to decide on the speed to use.
Have you ever tried any other treadmill workout other than running, and which one was it? Feel free to share with us.
