Boredom During Cardio

kheekis

I often get bored while using the elliptical. So bored that I stare at the TVs and read the marquee on the bottom until it runs through its cycle a couple times. That is WITH music in my ear buds. Today I decided I'd utilize the Nook app on my phone. I made the text as big as I could so I could see it from the ledge on the elliptical. It worked great! I was actually wanting to keep going just so I could continue reading. I maintained my target heart rate for more of the session than ever, and added 5 minutes twice. Just wanted to share this tip Good luck everyone at reaching your goals!

TeaBea

Audio books!

Midnight1210

When I'm on the treadmill or elliptical, I like to watch all the movies I've been collecting on the DVR and forgetting about (kill two birds with one stone so to speak.) It keep my brain occupied long enough that I can (sometimes) forget that I'm exercising.

Listening to my music only goes so far as a distraction - most of my workout music makes me want to dance.

Dance + treadmill = bad idea. I'd probably launch myself off it...again... :embarassed:

howardheilweil

I can't read on an elliptical... too much movement, but audio books and podcasts are the way to go.

Razzzzle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLMWaU-rLJQ

drunktimtebow

I often listen to music (either turn my computer way up, or Pandora on my phone) while on the treadmill, but sometimes it isn't quite enough to undo the boredom.

For times like those, I just watch some of my favorite YouTube channels. It's hard to believe how time can fly if you're laughing at something half the time.

lewcompton

Get of the machines and into nature if you can... Most of us spend too many hours staring at 4 walls or electronic devices... I love hitting the road and running or hiking...

jacobhyatt91

I often listen to music (either turn my computer way up, or Pandora on my phone) while on the treadmill, but sometimes it isn't quite enough to undo the boredom.

For times like those, I just watch some of my favorite YouTube channels. It's hard to believe how time can fly if you're laughing at something half the time.

completely unrelated but GO VIKES! SKOL!!! lol had to..

PeaceHappinessBalance

The elliptical is boring for me in general, even though I know I can burn massive calories on it. I only have fun on the treadmill with my music blaring.

lithezebra

Better music.

ndj1979

less cardio, more lifting..

serious question - how do you read while doing cardio and follow the story?

katygraceking

What is the Nook app?

sybrix

I have tried the treadmill and elliptical and I just.. can't do it. Even with music, tv, etc I will be bored to tears about 5 minutes in. Last time I was on the treadmill a few weeks ago I just forced myself through it. I hated it though.

I have also tried workout cardio DVD programs (P90X, Zumba, Insanity, 10 Minute Trainer, etc) and while the routines are varied and intense, I still get bored doing repetitive moves.

So I took a break from cardio and did weight lifting exclusively. It's better, but I feel like a healthy mix of both is necessary.

So... I dusted off my PS2 console, bought some dance pads for an old school game called Dance Dance Revolution, and now I have trouble STOPPING my cardio!

Workout video games are great. I can only speak for DDR but the fast paced songs have me literally dripping sweat by the time my hour is up. Sometimes I will go 90+ minutes without realizing it. There's different modes of play (including Workout Mode, but I think the calories it estimates are too high so I only log around 60-70% of what the game tells me I burned), many varieties of songs, and the game has been out so long it's relatively inexpensive to get started.

Warning: Not for people who aren't into dorky electronic music from the early 2000's sprinkled with Jpop. Also not for people who are self conscious about their spasmy T-Rex arms flailing everywhere. But it IS for this kid:

http://youtu.be/6JzcqALklRs

FixIngMe13

When I'm stuck inside on the treadmill I have my IPod of course, but downloaded some teachings that I've never heard before. Sometimes also however I'd move the treadmill towards the T.V and watch HGTV...lol.. I love that show!

lithezebra

less cardio, more lifting..

serious question - how do you read while doing cardio and follow the story?

I prefer to read on a recumbent bike. It's moderate exercise, but mostly it means that instead of sitting for an hour while I read, I'm moving.

Jlennhikes

I read Kindle on a 7" tablet and definitely look forward to it, then audio books on my phone to my Bluetooth headset when I run. It makes exercising fun for me.

SherryTeach

I read on my Kindle with the text bigger, watch TED talks to nourish my brain, or catch up on series I never got around to watching on Netflix. Mostly I do read though as I have a rather large reading goal for the year and this kills two birds with one stone.

Ithina1

I'll usually facebook or message people on my phone. Sometimes I'll watch the TV or read on my kindle.

Oh_Allie

I re-vamped my playlist with only songs that I love and only listen to it while I'm on the treadmill. If I want to hear a song, I have to keep walking. It's like a treadmill/music reward system.

I also get bored while I do cardio, so I challenge myself and try to beat previous bests. One more calorie than the last time. One more mile, one more minute than the last time. I get my best results when I try to out-do my previous highest whatever it is.

I also love to watch sitcoms while I work out. Fast forward through commercials and you can watch 2 30-minute shows in about 35-40 minutes. As someone above me said, 2 birds, 1 stone.

candiceh3

How on earth do people read while working out? LOL

I reckon if you can still read (my head wobbles all over the place) your METS aren't high enough! Why not just work out harder, finish earlier, and relax afterwards with the kindle???

Anyway... back on topic... I get bored with steady state cardio so I do intervals. That way something is changing within the next minute anyway.

lngrunert

Get of the machines and into nature if you can... Most of us spend too many hours staring at 4 walls or electronic devices... I love hitting the road and running or hiking...

I honestly hate the outdoors and can walk for four times as long on a treadmill as I can outside. I like having controlled weather, temperature, interactions with animals and other humans, etc. Different strokes for different folks. *shrug*

AllonsYtotheTardis

I prefer to do my cardio outdoors. Podcasts are great for when I go for a walk.

lithezebra

How on earth do people read while working out? LOL

I reckon if you can still read (my head wobbles all over the place) your METS aren't high enough! Why not just work out harder, finish earlier, and relax afterwards with the kindle???

I do HIIT, heavy lifting, and then I relax on the recumbent bike with my kindle. Do you have a problem with that?

candiceh3

How on earth do people read while working out? LOL

I reckon if you can still read (my head wobbles all over the place) your METS aren't high enough! Why not just work out harder, finish earlier, and relax afterwards with the kindle???

I do HIIT, heavy lifting, and then I relax on the recumbent bike with my kindle. Do you have a problem with that?

I don't have a problem with anything, I was being rather jovial.

Are you trying to incite a disagreement? If so, let me put on my teen girl drama face and say "what-evuh".

Seabee74

I've moved my treadmill out to the living room from a back corner bedroom that was boring.. I'm not into commercials so I DVR most of the shows or movies that I want to watch.. If I want to do 45 minutes on the treadmill I'll watch 2 of the 30 min shows which comes to about 45 minutes..

biggsterjackster

Get of the machines and into nature if you can... Most of us spend too many hours staring at 4 walls or electronic devices... I love hitting the road and running or hiking...

This exactly. Nothing better than being outside. And not boring at all. As children it was the most normal thing in the world for me.

action_figure

I often get bored while using the elliptical. So bored that I stare at the TVs and read the marquee on the bottom until it runs through its cycle a couple times. That is WITH music in my ear buds. Today I decided I'd utilize the Nook app on my phone. I made the text as big as I could so I could see it from the ledge on the elliptical. It worked great! I was actually wanting to keep going just so I could continue reading. I maintained my target heart rate for more of the session than ever, and added 5 minutes twice. Just wanted to share this tip Good luck everyone at reaching your goals!

That's pretty cool. I hate cardio machines with the white hot heat of a thousand suns, but I have to admit, they're awfully nice when it's sleeting outside. Still. . .

_lyndseybrooke_

This is why I avoid the elliptical and treadmill. I rely on HIIT workouts at FitnessBlender. Nothing boring about those, and I don't even need music while I do it. Cardio machines are horribly boring.

BrianSharpe

Get off the machines and into nature if you can... Most of us spend too many hours staring at 4 walls or electronic devices... I love hitting the road and running or hiking...

There's a reason you're getting bored on the elliptical............get outside and run or ride etc Way more fun!

darrensurrey

I often get bored while using the elliptical. So bored that I stare at the TVs and read the marquee on the bottom until it runs through its cycle a couple times. That is WITH music in my ear buds. Today I decided I'd utilize the Nook app on my phone. I made the text as big as I could so I could see it from the ledge on the elliptical. It worked great! I was actually wanting to keep going just so I could continue reading. I maintained my target heart rate for more of the session than ever, and added 5 minutes twice. Just wanted to share this tip Good luck everyone at reaching your goals!

WD!

You need to do what you need to do. Abstract cardio is rather boring whatever you're doing. That's why I prefer playing some kind of sport. I play tennis until I cannot walk. Maybe 3 hours? Sometimes we keep playing until it's so dark you cannot see the ball and just feel it whistle past your head. Or how about rock climbing for 5 hours (with breaks, obviously, but most of the time you're moving or climbing)? Try getting me to run on a treadmill for 3 minutes and I'm bored.

MzzFaith

Music