Exercise Watching TV

50sFit
50sFit Posts: 712 Member
edited November 2014 in Fitness and Exercise
The average person watches 5 hours of TV every day.
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watches-5-hours-tv-day-article-1.1711954
OUCH!
I don't know how true this is, but we all probably watch a bunch every week. Answer for yourself. Anyway, when I am before the boob-tube, I get in some light exercise on a mini-trampoline with calisthenics during a commercial break. It beats just sitting there.
Any other creative ways to watch TV and sneak in some light training?

wmov4vo0old6.jpg
007.JPG 24.1K

Replies

  • warriorguy
    warriorguy Posts: 143
    I sit in a chair and bicycle my legs up and down....also, barbell up and downs.
  • gabrielleelliott90
    gabrielleelliott90 Posts: 854 Member
    I run on the spot or walk on the spot until the ad is over. And not past midnight.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    warriorguy wrote: »
    I sit in a chair and bicycle my legs up and down....also, barbell up and downs.
    That's good!
    Maybe those watching TV 5 hours should consider this... :)

  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    gabrielleelliott90 wrote: »
    I run on the spot or walk on the spot until the ad is over. And not past midnight.
    Right, if I train past 8pm, I am up walking the floors.

  • Pohudet
    Pohudet Posts: 179 Member
    I use a step board for step aerobics.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I march/jog in place until commercials. During commercial breaks, I pick a random exercise to do. Some examples:
    - shadow box
    - side planks
    - plank up/downs
    - banded side steps
    - squats (with weight)
    - calf raises (holding weight)
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    Pohudet wrote: »
    I use a step board for step aerobics.
    Ah, my wife does this too. :)

  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    I march/jog in place until commercials. During commercial breaks, I pick a random exercise to do. Some examples:
    - shadow box
    - side planks
    - plank up/downs
    - banded side steps
    - squats (with weight)
    - calf raises (holding weight)
    Yep, commercials are great - love them now!
    - When I was fat, that's when I'd make a food run to the kitchen.

  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Instead of sitting at my computer watching Netflix and livestreams, I walk while watching.
  • mjcrothers
    mjcrothers Posts: 59 Member
    I get on my treadmill to watch my show. Started doing c25k on it whilst watching. Some of my best workouts include the tv
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    zyxst wrote: »
    Instead of sitting at my computer watching Netflix and livestreams, I walk while watching.
    I have a standing work station where that mini-trampoline fits nicely, but typing is a challenge...lol
    jh2l4a27oius.jpg


  • QueenE_
    QueenE_ Posts: 522 Member
    I love walking and I love movies. I would like to get a treadmill early next year and set up a spot with a small tv. I could do both all day long if I could, haha.
  • DM01234
    DM01234 Posts: 317 Member
    I have a TV hanging in front of my treadmill. I normally keep it on mute though with the closed caption on. Doesn't ever matter what's playing, I use it to help the time pass while I listen to music.....

    It's only hooked to a simple antenna which only allows me to get 2 stations. Soon going to get a blue ray to connect to it for other uses which will allow me to stream Netflix if I want.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    edited November 2014
    QueenE_ wrote: »
    I love walking and I love movies. I would like to get a treadmill early next year and set up a spot with a small tv. I could do both all day long if I could, haha.
    It just seems like proper diet and some form of exercise in front of the TV could be the key to curing our nation's obesity crisis. The same average person watching 5 hours of TV will then say "I just don't have time for exercise".
    mjcrothers wrote: »
    I get on my treadmill to watch my show. Started doing c25k on it whilst watching. Some of my best workouts include the tv
    Same here; I still like to get out, but some days the weather is just horrible.
    That's when I make a way like this.

  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    DM01234 wrote: »
    I have a TV hanging in front of my treadmill. I normally keep it on mute though with the closed caption on. Doesn't ever matter what's playing, I use it to help the time pass while I listen to music.....

    It's only hooked to a simple antenna which only allows me to get 2 stations. Soon going to get a blue ray to connect to it for other uses which will allow me to stream Netflix if I want.
    That's good!
    Anything that gets us moving in a way that's enjoyable is a step in a positive direction.
  • noexcusesjustresults2014
    noexcusesjustresults2014 Posts: 212 Member
    50sFit wrote: »
    The average person watches 5 hours of TV every day.
    http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watches-5-hours-tv-day-article-1.1711954
    OUCH!
    I don't know how true this is, but we all probably watch a bunch every week. Answer for yourself. Anyway, when I am before the boob-tube, I get in some light exercise on a mini-trampoline with calisthenics during a commercial break. It beats just sitting there.
    Any other creative ways to watch TV and sneak in some light training?

    wmov4vo0old6.jpg

    Good idea, but based on the pic you posted I am concerned that you could easily hit your head on the ceiling while using the trampoline!
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    edited November 2014
    I use a mini-stepper while watching tv a couple times per week. When I first bought it I could barely get through 2 minutes straight without huffing and puffing.

    Then I put it away for a while and focused on walking for my cardio. I got stronger and was able to walk faster and go longer.

    I brought it back out earlier this year and was surprised I could get through 15 minutes straight while carrying a conversation with an elevated heart rate.

    Now I can easily get through an hour show (40 minutes fast forwarding through the credits and commercials.) I actually keep it right under my tv in the entertainment system and not in my home gym so whenever I'm watching tv it stares right at me. :)

    I usually go in intervals like 2 minutes faster and 3 minutes slower and I intermittently use 5 lb weights and do exercises like curls, tricep push backs, overhead press and chest flies. Before I know it my workout is over!

    It's a really great workout and replaced the unhealthy snacking I used to do in the past, plus doing both at the same time saves time.

    I still do my walking as my main cardio, but my mini-stepper has been great to mix things up.

    Edited to add: I also do bodyweight exercises like leg lifts, tricep dips, calf raises, push ups and planks etc. while watching tv.



  • earthboundmisfit
    earthboundmisfit Posts: 192 Member
    I work out on my mini-stepper or my trampoline, sometimes lift weights while watching TV.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    edited November 2014
    noexcusesjustresults2014 wrote: »
    50sFit wrote: »
    The average person watches 5 hours of TV every day.
    http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/average-american-watches-5-hours-tv-day-article-1.1711954
    OUCH!
    I don't know how true this is, but we all probably watch a bunch every week. Answer for yourself. Anyway, when I am before the boob-tube, I get in some light exercise on a mini-trampoline with calisthenics during a commercial break. It beats just sitting there.
    Any other creative ways to watch TV and sneak in some light training?

    wmov4vo0old6.jpg

    Good idea, but based on the pic you posted I am concerned that you could easily hit your head on the ceiling while using the trampoline!
    haha - no, my work is more of a slow jog which beats sitting.
    And hitting my head might mess up my hair.....


  • XX_Miss_RoseMary_XX
    XX_Miss_RoseMary_XX Posts: 274 Member
    I have a HRM I pick a show and jog in place or do my stepper during the whole show. Its an easy way to burn 200-300 calories.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Does lifting my hand from the bowl of popcorn to my mouth count?
  • llUndecidedll
    llUndecidedll Posts: 724 Member
    When I'm not terribly lazy I try to do at least one of the following: high knees, buttkickers, squats, push-ups, crunches, jogging in place, side steps, etc.

    I used to be able to do 30 minutes of jumping jacks [1000 jumping jacks] while watching TV. Oh, how I miss the shape I was in.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I don't exercise while watching TV. I already do enough exercise and I appreciate my rest. Plus there is no way I could watch TV and train as I am uber focused while training and all my cardio is super high intensity.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    XX_Miss_RoseMary_XX wrote: »
    I have a HRM I pick a show and jog in place or do my stepper during the whole show. Its an easy way to burn 200-300 calories.
    Yep!
    This does not replace regular training sessions, but it's something to consider for those who watch TV but claim they don't have time for scheduled exercise.
    And like you, I can burn a few extra calories when needed.
  • 50sFit
    50sFit Posts: 712 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    I don't exercise while watching TV. I already do enough exercise and I appreciate my rest. Plus there is no way I could watch TV and train as I am uber focused while training and all my cardio is super high intensity.
    This is best, but you know people who claim they just don't have time to exercise right?
    I bet they know the TV guide like a Baptist knows the bible...lol
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    No. I have show time and exercise time. These are separate things.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,964 Member
    I don't watch TV except for on a tablet while I am on the elliptical. It actually makes doing cardio a bit of a treat.
  • MsHarryWinston
    MsHarryWinston Posts: 1,027 Member
    I mostly don't since I work out 5 days a week. But yesterday was a rest day and I just really wanted work on my lower body so I did leg lifts, clam shells and some squats while I watched Netflix.
    I find I always go straight to laying leg lifts if I get the urge to work out while watching tv.

Categories