A friend of mine, who never used to exercise, told me recently that he has reached middle age and is gaining weight. So, he decided to buy a treadmill and plans to walk or run on it for at least half an hour every day to lose weight and build a fitness habit.

For most people, buying a treadmill is like bringing a big "white elephant" into their home. At first, you think it’s a great idea—no more excuses about the weather stopping your workouts. But soon, you might realize that it’s not as useful as you thought, and it just takes up space.

Why Treadmills Often Become "White Elephants"

Initially, many people buy treadmills thinking it will make exercising at home more convenient. However, the effectiveness of exercise depends not on the equipment but on your consistency.

A study showed that in gyms in the U.S. and China, only about 10% of members are active (working out at least twice a week). Regular exercisers know that to see results, you need to work out at least three times a week. If we raise the bar to “working out three times a week,” the percentage of active gym members drops even further. If paying gym members exercise so little, imagine how hard it is to stay motivated when you’re working out alone at home!

Secondly, people often get bored and tired of doing the same exercise repeatedly. Exercise is inherently against human nature’s desire for comfort. Beginners may struggle with the physical demands of running and might give up after a few attempts. Some may persist longer, but often not beyond a few weeks or months.

Thirdly, if you run less than twice a week, you’ll soon find that the treadmill is more of a nuisance than a benefit. Its high price tag makes you reluctant to get rid of it, but it ends up just taking up space.

Many households have treadmills that become clothes racks or places to stack things. If you have a basement, the treadmill might end up there collecting dust. Most people use their treadmill fewer than ten times.

How to Make the Most of Your Home Treadmill

Not everyone who buys a treadmill gives up. Some people do manage to incorporate it into their routine. Here are three ways to avoid letting your treadmill become a white elephant:

1. Create a Family Workout Routine

If at least two people in the household are willing to exercise, it creates a small fitness environment. This increases the treadmill’s usage and makes running more enjoyable.

2. Combine Exercise with Entertainment

Watch movies or TV shows while running, or find someone to talk to. Having a conversation while running makes time pass faster and reduces the perception of exercise pain.

3. Mix Up Your Workouts

Don’t just run. Your body benefits from different types of exercise to improve various fitness aspects. For example, long runs improve cardiovascular health and aerobic endurance, while strength training builds muscle endurance and strength. Even within aerobic exercise, a rowing machine can provide a more comprehensive workout than a treadmill.

Diversifying your workouts can also make exercise more interesting and reduce the monotony of doing the same activity.

By following these tips, you can keep your treadmill from becoming a dust collector and make it an integral part of your fitness routine.