Combat exercise boredom

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Does your treadmill or elliptical look more like a towel rack these days? Time to dust it off. Consumer Reports has some routines to liven up your workouts.

On a treadmill you could try to do some more skill-based exercises, things that challenge your agility or coordination.

Try lateral movements. Start the treadmill very slowly, then turn and take some side steps. Once you get comfortable with that exercise, you can bump up the speed and turn it into a shuffle. Don't forget to work both sides.

Some treadmill instructions caution you to only use the equipment facing forward. So Consumer Reports says if you're using your treadmill to do a lateral or side move, be sure to start slowly and be careful. And no matter what treadmill exercise you're doing, always attach the safety switch.

To work your quads, try walking lunges. Start at a slow pace and lunge as deep as you can while keeping your knees over your ankles and not past your feet.

Another alternative to just running or walking at a steady pace is intervals. But instead of repeatedly pressing the speed or incline buttons, some treadmills have quick controls you can use to alternate the intensity.

If you're on an elliptical, there are different ways you can move to focus on different parts of your body. Pedaling normally in a normal posture, you can also concentrate on pulling with your arms. So it's going to give you an upper-body workout. And add variety by pushing instead of pulling. To challenge your lower body more, keep your hands on the stationary grips, lean forward, and drive with your legs. That works your glutes and hamstrings.