Bored while working out!

ktbollman
ktbollman Posts: 32 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Okay, I usually don't wear headphones at the gym because I sweat like a mad woman and then my earbuds start annoying me. I also don't have a workout buddy so it's me, random gym music in the background, and the tv that's basically on mute in front of me on the macine (cardio!).

I'm not going to lie...I get REALLY bored about halfway through my workout. What do you do to keep yourself "un-bored" while working out on cardio machines? Do you play some game in your head at the gym? something? I am looking for some sweet tips...because right now, constantly looking at my time on the machine sucks! haha.

OR, if you have any tips on some SERIOUSLY good sweat-proof ear buds, let me know. I bought some off of amazon last year (paid like 50 bucks) and one earbud is dead already. Very, very frustrating to say the least.


Thanks!
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Replies

  • Redbirdz83
    Redbirdz83 Posts: 153 Member
    I wish I had some magic words to help you with the ear buds...sometimes the old school ones that don't go into your ear my help...I would wear my hair up so then you can lean back the headband part and it's not straight up...I know they'll get all sweaty but I have cleaned mine or wiped them off.

    I also tend to have my good ol smart phone with me and that has helped pass the time...facebook, google searching...Mfp!!! I am a pro at it...it may take some time getting used to it, but that helps distract me. Good luck! Just think of how hard work will pay off!
  • OtiWanKenobi
    OtiWanKenobi Posts: 340 Member
    Hi, like you I really don't like the gym so I don't go! :-) Instead I do group classes which are fun because they have different routines, I run outside, I do an hour of zumba at home and lift weights.

    I can run an hour outside with no problem, but stick me in a gym on a treadmill with dance music....5 minutes feels like an eternity. :grumble:

    You have to find out what works for you! :wink:
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    I find exercises that interest me!

    Get off the machine and try something new. Take a class. Go for a run around the track, where you can see people and things.
  • CharliesInCharge
    CharliesInCharge Posts: 278 Member
    i wonder if you could hire someone to exercise for you.... just a thought
  • Miss_Chievous_wechange
    Miss_Chievous_wechange Posts: 1,230 Member
    SMFH
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    Just quit.
    I will never quit you and you can't make me!
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    I'm not bored now because I recently started a muscle-building program from BodyBuilding.com. It's new and kicking my butt!

    But when I was using the ArcTrainer, I would try to hold my objective in my mind (lean, fit, strong, flexible) as a meditation and watch my mind wander off, then pull it back. Or I would prop a magazine on the data readout in front of me and just flip through it, not really trying to read it (except sometimes), mainly looking at the pictures and getting ideas about fashion and how to use what is buried in my closet - stuff like that.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Do something you have to concentrate on.

    Like strength training.
  • Anayalata
    Anayalata Posts: 391 Member
    Do something you have to concentrate on.

    Like strength training.

    I second this. Or run outside. Or chase a rabbit.
  • awade218
    awade218 Posts: 9 Member
    If you are getting bored, try mixing it up a bit. You can do cardio or great calorie burning exercises that is not just running, biking, elipical, or stairs. Trying doing some areobics, or circuit. You do not haveto join a class (however it is a great way to meet people). Doing a circuit with low rest like, 1 min at a machine of most you can do reps, with 15-30 secs rest, then move to another machine. have like 8-10 stations setup. 1min each station - 30 to 15sec rest between. Do 2-3 rounds. That will put you 30-40 min of a great workout. Trust me, you wont get bored.
  • _DaniD_
    _DaniD_ Posts: 2,186 Member
    You need some music. Sing along. Stare at your boobs in the mirror as you work out.
  • dawn_eichert
    dawn_eichert Posts: 487 Member
    I think about various things that need to be done. I will make grocery lists in my head, work out a problem from work, etc... For the ear buds, maybe just find cheap ones that you don't mind replacing regularly.

    Good luck
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I do steady-state cardio approximately never. Do some intervals or HIIT or barbell complexes, burpees, dumbbell swings, etc, etc, etc. That's too damn killer to be boring.

    If you're gonna do it, make it count.
  • kellymoconnell
    kellymoconnell Posts: 11 Member
    Get some headbands that'll help with sweat. Take group classes, swim, hire a trainer.
  • lne11
    lne11 Posts: 1
    I get bored too but I have found a way to keep myself engaged in the workout. Im going to try to explain...

    If Im on the treadmill I will start out jogging on a level of 4.0, then increase my speed at every tenth of a mile. Running at 4.0 for the first tenth of the mile, 4.1 for the second tenth, 4.2 for the third tenth, etc. I increase the speed until I am at a max speed and then "reward" myself my decreasing the speed back down at every tenth. In doing this, I am engaged in the workout and even though I am constantly running or jogging the workout feels like it is changing frequently because the speed is changing.

    It may sound crazy but it works for me and also keeps me from being lazy and leaving my speed in one place. I implement this on the eliptical too.
  • crossfit_lover
    crossfit_lover Posts: 230 Member
    With regards to ear phones I use Beats by Dre so they go OVER the ear. Should you not be in a position to purchase these I would suggest you take an interest in designing workouts in circuits. In this way you have something to look forward to and can check your progress as you go through them. There's two tips...
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    earbuds - http://yurbuds13.reachlocal.net/products/performance-fit/
  • ilikebooksnotrunning
    ilikebooksnotrunning Posts: 11 Member
    When I start getting bored I start thinking about my friends, which usually means I remember things about them (like a job interview, anniversary, or something) that I text them about later. The time usually goes by quicker when I'm thinking about the people that make me happy, and that I know will be proud of me when I get healthy.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I get really bored on the cardio machines too...which is why I rarely if ever use them. There are so many better ways to get a workout in. Do something you enjoy doing, not something that bores you...that's about the only solution I can give you.

    I will never understand why people elect to do something that is boring, they are utterly uninterested in, or otherwise just don't want to do. It's like if I were to go play basketball every day for my workout...sure, it's a great workout but I hate playing basketball (because I suck)...therefore I would loath working out if that was my planned daily workout.

    Just find something you enjoy doing and stop droning away on the elliptical or treadmill or whatever.
  • whatjesseats
    whatjesseats Posts: 228 Member
    The only way I can use cardio machines is some type of interval workout, adjusting speed and/or incline/resistance. But really, I prefer to do my cardio outdoors. If you don't like your routine, it's past time to switch it up!

    For headphones, I use Skullcandy (this model: http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/earphones-earbuds-s4chfz-134-2011-chops-bud-pink-black). I've had my current pair for a year and a half and they're still going strong.
  • veerichie
    veerichie Posts: 214 Member
    I have used kicker and skull candy headphones which I know are a lot more obnoxious than ear buds, but I find when i wear ear buds they make my inner ear hurt really bad. So anyways I use my headphones and I'll watch Netflix on my phone. My cousin made a deal with herself that she could only watch this TV series she was really into if she was on the treadmill. So she said it made the treadmill a little more enjoyable.

    Also my husband and I have been trying to make 6PM gym dates so we can watch back to back episodes of Seinfeld. I know that sounds so dorky but it is a major distraction for both of us and an hour flies by really fast! (we have a TINY hole in the wall gym and are usually the only people in there so we can use the TV out loud without distracting others)
  • 1brokegal44
    1brokegal44 Posts: 562 Member
    I get bored too, but I push through.
    Change your routine.
    Change the music (and put up with the sweaty earbuds)
    Get a friend in the gym with you.

    Keep your eye on the prize.
  • alexandraleaden
    alexandraleaden Posts: 99
    I nick name people in the gym and make up their convos for my entertainment - just saying
  • karamini
    karamini Posts: 21
    Okay, I usually don't wear headphones at the gym because I sweat like a mad woman and then my earbuds start annoying me. I also don't have a workout buddy so it's me, random gym music in the background, and the tv that's basically on mute in front of me on the macine (cardio!).

    I'm not going to lie...I get REALLY bored about halfway through my workout. What do you do to keep yourself "un-bored" while working out on cardio machines? Do you play some game in your head at the gym? something? I am looking for some sweet tips...because right now, constantly looking at my time on the machine sucks! haha.

    OR, if you have any tips on some SERIOUSLY good sweat-proof ear buds, let me know. I bought some off of amazon last year (paid like 50 bucks) and one earbud is dead already. Very, very frustrating to say the least.


    Thanks!

    Music is key for me! Also intervals. When I'm on the treadmill or elliptical I've started using an app on my iphone called "beat burn" which coaches you through interval training, and plays music with a beat that matches your pace. You can use your own music, or theirs (which gets pretty repetitive after a while). I usually do interval training anyway to make cardio more exciting, but since I started using this app a couple of months ago I find it makes a huge difference in my workout. It's motivating and time seems to go by way faster!

    If for some reason I can't have music, I usually just day dream! haha
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I do steady-state cardio after I lift, and I bring my kindle. It is nearly impossible to read on a treadmill, but I can do pretty well with it on the elliptical and the bike. I do cardio, about 2.5 hours plus a week, but most of it is out of the gym.

    I hate the treadmill more than anything else in the gym.
  • Tw1zzler
    Tw1zzler Posts: 583
    Do something you enjoy? I wear the headband style of headphones that sit over the ear, sweat is not a problem. I detest ear buds... they never fit well and I hate how they completely block ambient sound.
    '
    similar to these

    http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/activity/sennheiser-adidas-px-685i-sport.php
  • jamers3111
    jamers3111 Posts: 495 Member
    What machine are you using?
    Treadmill-- do intervals... run/walk 5 min... increase speed or incline for 1-3 minutes (repeat)

    Elliptical-- 5 minute warm up then every 2 minutes for 30 seconds-1 minute I go as fast as I can

    I can read on the elliptical, too.
  • angeldaae
    angeldaae Posts: 348 Member
    My solution was to find something I really enjoy doing it.

    When I try to walk on the treadmill (aka dreadmill), I completely hate it. I start clock-watching about ten minutes in.

    But when I do Zumba, I love it! The time flies by and an hour is gone before I know it. And I want to keep going! I am always disappointed that class isn't a little longer.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I daydream.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I don't really have any help re: ear buds. They hurt my ears too, though I'd rather have sore ears than be bored. I can't imagine doing machines without music.

    Have you thought of doing something other than machines for cardio? Does your gym offer classes? Or maybe something outside.

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