How do you keep from getting bored with workouts

lizalmp1234

I wanted to know how do you keep yourself from getting bored with your workouts. Thanks in advance

arditarose

I don't get "bored" squatting a bunch of weight. I get pumped, nervous, humbled, and excited. I get a bit bored sitting on the stationary bike but I usually pick a few songs from the early 90s and imagine I'm the performer and everyone at the gym is like "whoa, I had NO IDEA you could sing like that".

ana3067

arditarose wrote: »

I don't get "bored" squatting a bunch of weight. I get pumped, nervous, humbled, and excited. I get a bit bored sitting on the stationary bike but I usually pick a few songs from the early 90s and imagine I'm the performer and everyone at the gym is like "whoa, I had NO IDEA you could sing like that".

LOL I kind of want to turn the gym into an episode of Glee or something then and have us all belt out while cardio-ing. I usually do other things while doing cardio, like internet (the cardio machines at my gym on campus have web browsers!!) or reading/studying.

I also have the same reactions while lifting though. Sometimes I'll psych myself out and then feel pissed, then I own the next set and I'm like


OP, choose exercises that you enjoy doing. Even when I'm doing cardio without the things I Mentioned above I'm not usually bored because I choose machines/exercises that I actually enjoy.

Reefboy1980

You may have the wrong routine if your getting bored, for me what excites me & keeps me motivated is progression session by session whether it's increased weight or that extra rep.
Cardio bores me though that's why I don't do it

lacroyx

Everything I do, I enjoy, thus I never get bored. Music helps too. I have a playlist but I also listen to online streaming music apps like Pandora and Fit Radio to discover new music.

cheshirecatastrophe

Lots of strategies!

-Change it up frequently
-Join a sports league instead of pounding away at individual cardio/weights. People don't tend to describe e.g. roller derby as "boring"
-Find what you like. Maybe you are the kind of person who loves spin classes? Maybe you're a runner? Maybe you like to mix up a lifting set with a couple of laps around the indoor track?
-Some people do well watching TV or movies
-I crave the ability to just turn off my brain, to "peace out" so to speak. Running lets me do that. I'm aware of time passing, but not in the same way as when I'm hyperfocusing on something (e.g. stationary bike...)

yusaku02

by adding more weight

LKArgh

Find something you enjoy and if it becomes boring, do not be afraid to try something new.

awesomejdad

I look in the mirror. I see both my results and what I want to work on and then I keep doing my workouts.

dinger09

how long have you been doing same work out. there is a saying if its working don't change it. but if your fed up doing same thing day in day out you have to change it plenty of different exercise to do same body part so just mix it up a bit and see how you get on.

imabeevampire

do something new, i get bored doing the 30 day shred, take a week off, do something i enjoy, i love running so do that often and swimming

Foamroller

You're maybe bored cause doing stuff that's too easy for you. Challenge yourself, just outside your comfort zone. Variation, try new things regularly and it never gets boring. Good playlists works wonders too.

amusedmonkey

Keep exploring until you find something that doesn't bore you. I get bored to tears doing 10 minutes of strength training, it feels like an eternity, but running on the treadmill with a good audiobook feels like a blip. I love reading, so I combined that with my routine (through audiobooks) and it transformed the entire routine. What do you like doing? Do you like dancing? Pick up dance workouts. Do you like nature? Go hiking. Do you like competition? Do tennis. Do you like to get down and dirty? Do mud races. etc. Unless the only thing you like is sleeping, you will eventually find something that is fun.

MKEgal

During weightlifting, I try to remember the names of the muscles I'm using, the insertion point, etc. Also, focus on form.
For cardio, my gym has lots of TV stations. Plug the earbuds into the machine & I'm distracted. Or in nicer weather, walk outside with a friend. Much nicer.

yesimpson

I found things I enjoy (running and going to the gym), and I make sure I have structure and variety.

I do one long slow run a week, one interval/speed session, and two gym sessions: one where I do exercises with weights for my upper body + cardio (cross trainer, rower, stepper, bike) and one for the lower body. I make sure I have good music on my iPod, that I try and introduce new exercises or variations every few weeks to keep myself challenged, and if I'm really feeling unenthusiastic, I treat myself to new gym clothes or I arrange to meet a friend afterwards for lunch - that gets me there and I never regret going and working hard once I'm there.

sheldonklein

I suspect your question is focused on cardio machines. If so, the answer is nothing. It is inherently boring, like brushing your teeth for 30 minutes. Listening or watching something might distract me, but I'm still focused on the readout--how much time is left, how many calories have I burned, when is the next interval. Unlike, say running outdoors, my mind never leaves the readout for more than a minute, if that.

djmp21

just the thought of beating my previous lift excites me, one of the huge benefits of always writing down what you lift. has definitely improved my motivation and my fitness in general.
also try to remember everyday you're training for tomorrow. you're efforts today will show in 3, 6 and 9 months time when you look amazing and are fitter than you've ever been.

earlnabby

I swim laps for an hour for my workouts. I have a waterproof IPod and listen to tunes or sometimes an audiobook. I will sometimes do split times, etc and concentrating on speed and the timer keeps me from getting too bored.

Timorous_Beastie

There's times exercise isn't fun or exciting, but I don't expect everything to be. It's like asking, "How do you keep from getting bored while vacuuming, or doing laundry, or paying bills?"

It's something I have to get done. So I do it. Good music helps.

darrensurrey

Don't do workouts that bore you. I used to do HIIT etc but it's all tedious really and you try to do stuff to distract yourself from the boredom. Nowadays I do sports and train to improve so I have a passion for what I'm doing. If you enjoy a particular class eg Zumba, then do more of that.

Capt_Apollo

i don't know what kind of workouts you're doing. i'm a cardio bunny, so i try to keep workouts varied by choosing new routes to go on runs, changing playlists, and even running without music and just listening to the world around me.

if i'm doing indoor cardio i keep my tv and movies interesting and try not to watch something i've seen already.

like Timorous said, it can't always be fun and exciting though. sometimes you have to go out and just do it.

kramrn77

Have a goal to work towards. I hated jogging, but signed up for a 5k. Discovering I could actually make a 5k, even if I have to walk some of it, made me pretty excited. So I have a goal of being able to make it without stopping be the time the 5K comes up. So whatever exercise you are doing, set goals and track your progress. Of course, it's good if you pick something you like- or at least want to like.

ndj1979

find something you actually like to do and stick with it…

I like to lift heavy and seeing the weights go up and results in the mirror is motivation enough for me…

I am to the point now that if I have to miss a workout I hate myself….

earlnabby

ndj1979 wrote: »

find something you actually like to do and stick with it…

I like to lift heavy and seeing the weights go up and results in the mirror is motivation enough for me…

I am to the point now that if I have to miss a workout I hate myself….

I know how you feel. Sundays are my total rest days and I get antsy. Good thing I leave my laundry and housecleaning for Sunday. I get a lot done when I am feeling the need to move.

Willbenchforcupcakes

I get bored out of my mind doing cardio - to the point where my 5 minute warm up is pushing my limits.

But I love my lifting. Can't say I love every move, but I remind myself that it was put in my program for a reason and suck it up and do it.

paulaviki

I do outdoor bootcamp, kettlebell and HIIT classes, no two classes are ever the same so its impossible to get bored with it. Plus it's with a great group of people which makes it fun at the same time as being really hard work!

I agree its all about finding something you enjoy to prevent boredom. I've tried waking, swimming, using the elliptical etc before but found these things boring so I always ended up doing them less and less then quitting all together.

Ms_LisaKay

I got a few training sessions with a creative trainer. I now have a list of so many exercises & advancement/variations that I have to REALLY plan workouts just to incorporate all the different stuff I could do even once or twice a week. Yoga I also love because it is harder to stay in one position for 30 seconds than it seems, and the poses usually have advancements to work toward.

cwolfman13

I do things I enjoy doing...so I don't really get bored.

I have a passion for cycling and olympic weight lifting...never get bored.

ninerbuff

Finding your niche is going to be trial and error. Some people like working out alone at a fast pace. Some like working out in group settings (classes). Some workout with inspiring music. Others like to read when they are on the cardio machines. Some love dance. Some run, bike or walk with others to converse.
There are so many options out there. You just gotta find one that fits you.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Sam_I_Am77

lizalmp1234 wrote: »

I wanted to know how do you keep yourself from getting bored with your workouts. Thanks in advance

Set some kind of exercise goals be it run a faster mile, swim a faster lap, strength goals, flexibility goals, etc., and set an exercise plan that works towards them. Have a big long-term goal and smaller short-term goals that will help you reach the long-term. That way you have something to shoot for and by seeing progress it might help keep you motivated.

iofred

Change things regularly, and set yourself goals. I am changing my workouts around every month, and set a "Sunday"-monthly goal. For March it is going to be Biathlon (Run/Cycle/Run)