Using a treadmill can be a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. This is especially true for people who have children, or who live in parts of the country with particularly harsh winters, or who simply want to exercise in the comfort of their own home.
One of the common challenges in sticking with a treadmill based exercise program, however, is overcoming the boredom. When you run or walk outside, there are always things to look at, especially if you run along different paths, but running or walking on a treadmill automatically limits this.
Many people have found that the best way to overcome the monotony of working out on a treadmill is to listen to music. Music can be a great motivator, since you can choose music with a beat to match whatever cadence or speed you hope to workout at.
Many treadmill manufacturers understand this, and have integrated speakers into their products. With these treadmills, you take your portable MP3 player or CD player and plug it into the treadmill using the headphone port. This way you don’t really have to take any additional steps, the music player you already have is ready to go.
Treadmill Speaker Quality
Don’t expect your treadmill speakers to sound nearly as nice as your home stereo. They simply won’t. The speakers are small and a treadmill music system isn’t the focus of a treadmill manufacturer.
iPod Integration
Some treadmills are outfitted with direct integration with the popular iPhones and iPod portable music players. Treadmills that have this feature are often more convenient for two reasons.
- First, with this type of integration you can control the songs and playlists you listen to directly through the treadmill console. This means you don’t have to try to struggle with your iPod touch screen as you walk or run.
- Second, your iPod or iPhone will charge while it’s docked to your treadmill. This means that even after a long workout, you’ll have a full battery, and won’t have to worry about getting recharged.
Laptop Integration
You can buy a treadmill laptop holder, which then gives you full access to the internet to listen to online radio stations and/or your music library.
My Recommendation
I wouldn’t buy a treadmill that didn’t accommodate an iPod. iPods are the new music systems and if you don’t have one now, you very well may in the near future.
That said, if you only use head-phones, then it’s not that big of a concern whether you can plug you iPod in to pump sound through the treadmill speakers.
In addition, because of our increasingly busy lives, some people find that getting on the treadmill is one of the only places that they can “zone out” and enjoy their favorite music. This can be a great bonus for those of us who haven’t been able to listen to our favorite bands and singers quite as often as we’d like.
Keep in mind that with these treadmill music systems, you are not limited only to music. For a change of pace, you can also listen to audio books or podcasts that you may subscribe to. Again, because most of us have so many things going on in our lives, treadmill almost becomes an escape where we can finally find the time to enjoy listening to these things.
Listening to music while you work out on your treadmill also builds a strong and very helpful positive association. When walking or running is enjoyable and almost seems like entertainment, you are more likely to stick with your workout schedule and meet your long term health and fitness goals.
Listening to Music and Treadmill Safety
I’m not saying don’t listen to music on your treadmill. That would be absurd. However, be mindful that music may be a distraction, especially if you navigate the menus o on your MP3 player and/or fuss with your headphones. Click here for more treadmill safety tips.
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