I always thought treadmills were for running. But lately, as I’ve been running on mine and counting the minutes until I can turn off the blasted device, I’ve seen more and more women performing lunges, side shuffles, and other exercises on theirs that are typically reserved for the gym floor. Sure, the women look pretty funny—but pretty badass, too. I mean, their workout moves seem killer—and the ladies definitely don’t seem as bored as I feel. So try performing these exercises, before, after, or even instead of your regular run.
[su_box title=”1) Walking Lunges” style=”noise” box_color=”#fff” title_color=”#2e383f”]
Doing walking lunges across your gym floor is next to impossible. There’s never enough room, and that girl on her cell phone has zero clue she’s standing right in your way. Performing them on a treadmill removes the obstacles so that you can focus on the move and get the most from every leg-burning lunge.
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and turn the treadmill’s speed up to 3 mph (you can tweak this as necessary). Keeping your hands clasped together at chest level, step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your right knee is bent at least 90 degrees. Then, rise up and bring your back foot forward so that you move forward, alternating legs with each step. To focus on your glutes and hamstrings, set the treadmill to an incline of five percent.[/su_box]
[su_box title=”2) Side Shuffles” style=”noise” box_color=”#fff” title_color=”#2e383f”]
Side shuffles work both your inner and outer thighs, while also toning you calves and doubling as a cardio exercise.
Stand sideways on the treadmill with your knees slightly bent, and bring the speed up to between 3 and 5.5 mph. Perform quick and rapid side shuffles, making sure to land softly on the balls of your feet. Switch sides.[/su_box]
