Bored during Cardio?

megandanielle2513

How does everyone stay focused while doing cardio? On the bike..treadmill....whatever..I get so bored. It's like I have A.D.D. or something I really don't know how to stay there for more than 10 minutes. I listen to music...but....that's not enough. Suggestions? LOL I like to do about 30 minutes of cardio and even that is hard!!

Phrak

i made a laptop desk for my spin bike. I play games and ride the bike.

AReasor

I have netflix on in the background. That way when I don't want to focus on what I am doing, I can zone out.

Reckabek

I started doing work out videos. Or c25k....keeps me occupied.

think48

I set different goals for myself every 1/2 mile. Always trying to meet the next goal. I make the next goal while I'm working on the current one so it's always fresh.

Ambrogio1

Find a partner. I have a guy I do cardio with. We chat all the time and just walk
But don't dare do it in the movie theatre!!! You will get scolded!

flong1975

I can't watch TV and run so I listen to music and try to zone out while I visualize a trail or country road in from of me. This does not always happen so other times I people watch without being obvious... and when I still can't focus after 20 minutes, I stop and go do weights or floor work and take out my frustraion on another work out....

Porcelain1981

Similar issue on cardio machines, I'm now doing intervals.

1 min going nuts, 30 secs off, or 1 min go nuts, 1 min go normal. It helps me focus and challenge myself to beat what I did the last time.

dsuppa1997

I either listen to really amped up music (Slipkot, Disturbed, etc.....) or watch something on my phone via NetFlix or rent/buy via Android Market/iTunes. There are also times where I just let my mind wander, there really isnt any better part of the day where you can literally just shut your brain off and not think about anything else, just let your body do the cardio and you "veg out" and day dream.

aheartbeatsos

Listen to music with a strong beat and zone out to it
Or try reading. I find that novels are great for the stationary bike but after a while my eyes feel strained.
My gym provides trashy gossip rags and I make a pile and read through them while I work out. The combination of pictures and text keeps my mind from wandering.
And it saves me from spending my money on magazines

PinkEarthMama

Louder music, intevals for intensity.

PonyTailedLoser

watching cooking shows help me...really. I don't eat most of the types of food they make so it's nice just watching people who know how to cook.

LorinaLynn

I watch TV on the treadmill, but I prefer to read on the exercise bike.

palmerig88

Increase your intensity

EinTX

Audio Books.

TeaBea

Try switching it up with different things: watching DVDs, music, audiobooks, nature trail videos. I finally switched to working out to exercise DVDs. You might try a video or 2 and see if you can find something you like.

Videos can be rented from the library, or try Hulu.com, you tube, Netflix rental or streaming.

ATLMel

I go outside.

It's much less dull to run an hour with scenery.

arickim

I watch Supernatural in the morning:). Can't really get bored while watching Sam and Dean.

lucycaz

Talking books - I get into a story and the time just passes..... I have been known to keep going for longer just to get the the end of a Chapter.....

usmcmp

I have to second the increase intensity. Work harder and you won't be as bored. Or you can start lifting weights.

meshashesha2012

cardio is boring that's why i do HIIT as much as i can. that will definitely keep your focus because you're spending a certain amount of time going as fast and hard as you can, using the next bit of time to recover and then repeating the process.

once i forgot mymp3 player on a day i was doing 45 minute of fast walking/high hill intervals. i thought i would miss it but i didnt, i was too busy focusing on not falling off the treadmill.

on days that i'm not doing HIIT and i'm doing over 20 minutes total calories, I will split my time up on multiple machines : versaclimber/rowing machine/ spin bike or treadmill/bike/pool are my personal fave split combos.

another thing i'll do is try to beat my distance or pace from the last time i worked out. for instance, when i'm doing a longer 25 minute session on the versaclimber i try to top the number of feet climbed from the last time.

oh yeah and i do have ADD :laugh:

oh yeah i find that the problem i have when i read or watch TV when i'm working out is that i unintentionally decrease my intensity. i personally find that i have a much better workout when i'm 100% focused on what my body is doing. i want to see results from my workouts, so i want to get the benefits out of each and every workout.

wells0707

I had to switch to workout dvd's. All I could do on the treadmill or bike was watch the clock. If I am running outside I bring a friend and we chat.

Blessedmommy_2x

HIIT training... Bike for a few minutes at a regular pace then up the intensity for about 30-60 seconds and then go back to regular pace again. I USED TO do the same ole biking for a hour routine and it got so boring. Then once I started doing HIIT training keeping track of the time, my heart rate, my intensity and counting out loud to myself made the time pass much quickly PLUS you burn more calories that way!!

LittleMissNerdy

I watch TV/Movies on my iPod.

bmarie82

I mix it up, I do 10-12 minute sessions of cardio then to some weights or whatever as a set, for example I'd do 10 minutes of running stairs, then 50 reps of dumbells, 50 lunges, then do it over again

marbit

I watch Supernatural in the morning:). Can't really get bored while watching Sam and Dean.

I totally agree 100%

bcattoes

Get off the machine and do something else. Run or bike outside. Join an aerobics class. Buy a fun DVD.

emmamcblain

I always take a book with me when I go on the bike. I do 70 minutes on the elliptical, and BY GOD, is it hard to stay focused after even 20 minutes! And it's even worse if the TV isn't on...

AZKristi

Music helps, but the way I see it, if my brain has time to get bored, my body isn't working hard enough! I listen to music while I work out. That is plenty when I am running / cycling. If I am on the stair-mill, I will also be "reading" a book. A put reading in quotes because honestly I don't get much reading actually done. It is nice to have something to read during my recovery intervals which can be a bit boring. But, when the intensity increases, my reading comprehension pretty much goes out the window (as it should!)

MizzDoc

watching cooking shows help me...really. I don't eat most of the types of food they make so it's nice just watching people who know how to cook.

Nice idea. Think I might try that next time I am on the elliptical.

penrbrown

Whenever you can take your cardio outside. The change of scenery will more then stop you from getting bored PLUS there's no quitting early because once you're away from the house you have to somehow get back.