4 Ways To Spice Up Your Treadmill Workout

Let’s be honest: Treadmills aren’t the most thrilling of exercise machines. And running on a treadmill can get dull, fast, especially if you’re doing so at the same speed and incline for miles at a time. The solution? Boost your treadmill run by getting creative. Here’s how.

1. Side shuffle: Facing sideways on a slow-moving treadmill, shuffle your feet together without crossing them. Step one foot toward the base of the machine, then the other, and repeat. This will work your hips and inner thighs — two hard-to-reach areas.

2. Walk backward: This move is exactly like it sounds — just adjust the speed to a comfortable walking pace, turn around, and walk backward. You’ll feel it in your quads, plus the move will help you gain stability that keeps you balanced and tones your core.

3. Up the incline: Raise the incline to 10 to 12 percent and walk at a brisk pace. It’ll work your butt and legs and send your heart rate up. Plus, you’ll have to engage your core to stabilize on the incline — hello, abs!

4. Move the tread on your own: Turn the treadmill off, place your hands on the handrail in front of you, and walk on the treadmill, pushing the tread with your own power. This will help build strength in your quads, hamstrings, and butt and, again, boost your heart rate.

Try one move to switch things up, or mix them together for a full-body workout — your core, butt, and leg muscles will be shaking before you know it. Plus, mixing it up will help torch more calories and keep you excited and engaged, meaning you’ll work harder and pay more attention to form. Learn more about the benefits of each move (and see them demonstrated) in the video above.

Gym facilities provided by Equinox; clothing provided by Outdoor Voices. Video and production by Darren Weaver, Ryan Brown, and Amanda Chan. Exercises developed by Amy Rushlow.

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