Treadmill or clothesrack?

Q: After I retired, my husband bought me a treadmill so I could work out at home. At first I thought this would be a great idea, allowing me to exercise whenever I wanted, but this hasn’t been the case. I find myself walking past the treadmill in our bedroom and choosing to do something else with my time. I need to work out and want to use my treadmill. How can I motivate myself to not walk past it and actually use it?

A: Home exercise equipment often becomes another addition to your household furniture. Once brought home, treadmills, stationary bikes and the like frequently find another use — as a clothes rack or laundry hamper. This does not have to be the case for everyone. Finding the best place in your home for a treadmill and choosing a dedicated space to exercise can make using your treadmill more appealing.

The idea of wanting to exercise at home is great. Having the option to walk or run at home without having to go outside or to the gym can be a great option. But just placing the treadmill inside your home might not automatically motivate you to use it. When you see the treadmill in your room each day, it may make you feel as if you can “exercise later” or “start tomorrow,” since the treadmill is not going anywhere.

First, find a place for your treadmill that will be comfortable, motivating and removed from other distractions. If you have the space, find a room other than your bedroom for the treadmill, and try to avoid placing it where you can see other “work” or projects you want to complete. Seeing what else you could or should be doing may “guilt” you into choosing to complete those projects instead of working out. Place music, a television or telephone in this room if you find yourself leaving your workout to do something else.

If you do not have a separate room for your treadmill, try to create a space where you can reach it without stepping over furniture or other household items. Position your treadmill near a window or open space to create a view that can motivate you and eliminate a feeling of “working out” in your room.

And no matter how much exercise equipment you have at home, you will have to continue to make the time to use it. Scheduling time to exercise and sticking with your schedule each day can help you get into a habit of using your treadmill.

Avoid the temptation to use your treadmill for anything other than exercising, and ask others in your home to do the same. One shirt thrown on the treadmill can trigger an avalanche of clothes and other non-exercise items. Enjoy the benefits of exercising at home by planning and remembering why the treadmill is there.