Francine asks what she should do for better interval workouts when using her treadmill that has only minimal 1% incline -- and she has to adjust that manually. A low-end treadmill can still give you an indoor workout, although you will probably have to be a bit more creative on increasing intensity by speed rather than incline.
There are a few ways to increase the intensity of your treadmill workout. Incline is one way, and better-quality treadmills can adjust the incline throughout various programmed workouts, and through a wider range of incline.
Speed: Interval workouts based on speed are a great way to add intensity. Trainer Lorra Garrick describes high-intensity intervals you should be able to do with any treadmill that has adjustable speed. If you are on a manual rather than motorized treadmill, you will have to use your own internal speed gauge to up the pace.
Strength: Another way to add intensity is with her treadmill-dumbbell workout, which uses intervals of getting off the treadmill and lifting 5 or 10 pound dumbbells.
