Although treadmills can help you get a great workout, one common problem that people face when using a treadmill is boredom. Let’s face it, walking, jogging or running for 20 minutes or longer can get quite tedious if you do not find some way to keep yourself entertained. With these simple tips, however, you can keep boredom at bay and keep your workout more exciting.

Listen to Music

One common boredom buster is to listen to music while working out. Some treadmills even have speakers and a feature allowing you to plug your MP3 player directly into the machine. Of course, if you are working out in your home, you can place a stereo system in the room and avoid using headphones altogether. Some treadmill users choose to listen to the radio while working out, while others put together several different song compilations to listen to throughout the workout.

Watch Television

Some treadmills come with a television installed in the machine, but you can also place a television in your home gym to watch as you are working out. Some treadmill users tape their favorite shows and save them for when they workout. Not only does this give you more inspiration to hit the treadmill (after all, you can’t find out what happened to your favorite characters until you go workout), it is also a time-saver that allows you to consolidate two tasks into one while also making it possible for you to skip past the commercials.

Read a Book or Magazine

While it may be difficult to read a book or magazine if you are jogging or running on your treadmill, many people find it enjoyable to read while walking. Of course, in order to make this process simpler, you should look for a treadmill that features a book holder or one that will allow you to add one as an attachment. You might even workout while reading a story to your child or grandchild as part of your bedtime routine.

Workout with a Friend

Getting a “workout buddy” to join you when you hit the treadmill can help keep you motivated while also keeping you better entertained. Of course, your buddy will also need some sort of routine to perform while you workout on the treadmill, but this can be a very effective way of staving off the boredom if you can find a way to keep both of you busy. Or, if you have a friend with a machine at his or her house, you might even want to chit-chat over the phone while you both workout at the same time.