subject: Staying Motivated On The Treadmill [print this page] One of the greatest obstacles facing those that are looking to get into better shape is the issue of staying motivated while they are using the equipment. It is a very human predicament, because most fitness regimens begin with lofty goals and great amounts of determination to improve and steadily build the body.
After the initial few sessions where the user gives their all and feels good about how much progress they are going to make, there is the tendency to taper off the workout sessions in disappointment once it is realized that getting into better shape will be a definitive investment of time and energy. This realization is often a game breaking one, because the individual feels like they haven't made any progress with their initial efforts and that their investment has been a futile one that can be delayed if it is deemed to be inconvenient.
Although it may feel like there is no tangible sense of progression in this setting, the truth is that the body is restructuring how it processes and adapts to the stressful stimuli that it is being subjected to, and it is reconfiguring it's systems to be the most efficient that they can be in preparation for future endeavors.
Since most people don't realize that they are changing the biochemical makeup of their bodies, they give up early before the outward change and definition mirrors the evolving one that is happening on the inside. It is critical that people last through these periods of dissatisfaction ad change long enough to see tangible evidence of their efforts, such as improved weight levels, greater strength, and better endurance.
This is especially true for the people who choose the treadmill as their exercise equipment of preference. Because the treadmill offers an effective yet repetitious workout, some people are understandably uncomfortable with committing fully to it.
Therefore, examining how to keep people engaged and productive while using the equipment becomes a bit of a challenge and is worth examining further in order to understand how to best get the person involved in their fitness routine again. Above all trying to instill a sense of purpose and direction inside of participant needs to be a priority, because all of the professional tips and techniques in the world do not mean anything if the individual does not even want to get on the machine.
The initial first few sessions usually reflect the maximum amount of enthusiasm that the user will offer when they are on the treadmill, so harnessing this mindset and energy is important. The best motivation starts from the beginning, and is trained into the user until it becomes like a reflex for them.
Setting a spread of achievable goals and milestones from the outset can help the user feel a quick sense of achievement and progress, and can motivate them to return so that they can achieve further objectives. Secondly, setting the activity itself immediately after or during something that the user likes can further enhance the overall effect in a positive way that can be associated with exercise.
A good example of this technique is having the user run on the treadmill while watching their favorite show. This serves to distract them from the effort that they are having to expend, and also engages them in positive fashion at the same time.
This association between something that the participant likes and the immediacy of the exercise itself can be a powerful one. Further making associations between the fitness regimen and positive things in the person's life can make the fitness sessions something to be anticipated in conjunction with something they like.
Making sure that the person understands that their effort is an investment can also help. If it is understood that the initial outpouring of time and effort will have definite results, they will likely stay more motivated.
In order to be at their most effective while using the equipment, it is highly important that treadmill users stay properly motivated while they are in the midst of their workout session. By constantly making sure that focus and motivation are maintained in this setting, the person participating in the activity can feel like they have more energy to expend and that they are on the right track.
