im bored at the gym!

izzylew
izzylew Posts: 30
in Motivation and Support
whenever I go to the gym I start to get bored, ie: i usually do 3 sets of 10 reps for biceps and by that third set i can definitely feel the burn, but I'm bored the whole time, I have my head phones in, i'm focusing on my breathe and form, i'm holding my abs in and i'm still bored. i purposely dont check my phone the hour before i go to the gym so i have something to do while i do cardio. and then i spend most of the time at the gym trying to re-motivate myself. what do i doooooo?

Replies

  • luckycross
    luckycross Posts: 6
    Find a workout that you LOVE and look forward to! I used to be the same way until I found my current workout. Now I get nine kinds of grumpy if someone interrupts my workout, phone and fb included! lol
  • MattN1972
    MattN1972 Posts: 117
    What does your full workout look like? Do you have classes available to you so you're following someone else's direction? That may help.
  • vixxxen88
    vixxxen88 Posts: 69 Member
    Does your gym have tv's or anything? I often get bored myself when im doing my cardio, so i pick a treadmill with a view, luckily for me ours either face the window out to the carpark so i can nosey at people outside, or else one by the swimming pool so i can watch everyone else excercising ! I also find it easier if im on a treadmill with people running either side of me gives me more motivation as i dont want to give up!
  • izzylew
    izzylew Posts: 30
    3-5 times a week, abs every time (but different ab exercises), alternate between upper and lower and, and cardio like 2-4 times a week, there's classes, like yoga, body pump, aerobics, zumba. I've tried the gym yoga and i feel neutral about it
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I do 3 sets of 5 reps at the heaviest weight I can handle. The heavy lifting is so challenging to me that I don't get bored. (I used to get bored doing lots of reps at lower weight, too.) Maybe you aren't challenging yourself enough.

    As for cardio, you gotta do something you enjoy. Does your gym have any classes you can try? They can be motivating too.

    Cardio machines and treadmills can be super boring to me. I started doing intervals on them and it keeps it from getting old - especially on treadmill. I actually enjoy myself doing intervals when I run. I do a minute at max effort and then follow with a minute of light effort to recover, then repeat until my time is up. Switching it up like that not only challenges your body more, but it makes it less boring mentally. Giving myself fitness goals to work toward helps me, too.

    :flowerforyou:
  • izzylew
    izzylew Posts: 30
    What does your full workout look like? Do you have classes available to you so you're following someone else's direction? That may help.

    3-5 times a week, abs every time (but different ab exercises), alternate between upper and lower and, and cardio like 2-4 times a week, there's classes, like yoga, body pump, aerobics, zumba. I've tried the gym yoga and i feel neutral about it
  • izzylew
    izzylew Posts: 30
    I do 3 sets of 5 reps at the heaviest weight I can handle. The heavy lifting is so challenging to me that I don't get bored. (I used to get bored doing lots of reps at lower weight, too.) Maybe you aren't challenging yourself enough.

    As for cardio, you gotta do something you enjoy. Does your gym have any classes you can try? They can be motivating too.

    Cardio machines and treadmills can be super boring to me. I started doing intervals on them and it keeps it from getting old - especially on treadmill. I actually enjoy myself doing intervals when I run. I do a minute at max effort and then follow with a minute of light effort to recover, then repeat until my time is up. Switching it up like that not only challenges your body more, but it makes it less boring mentally. Giving myself fitness goals to work toward helps me, too.

    :flowerforyou:

    oooo i'll totally try the intervals for the cardio thanks!
  • MattN1972
    MattN1972 Posts: 117
    How long have you been doing your current workout? I have been bored in the past as well and try to find something new. Look for a new professional routine. Something like NROLFW, stronglifts or another recommended routine.

    It's definately not easy and hard at times but the fact youre still going is great. good luck!
  • izzylew
    izzylew Posts: 30
    How long have you been doing your current workout? I have been bored in the past as well and try to find something new. Look for a new professional routine. Something like NROLFW, stronglifts or another recommended routine.

    It's definately not easy and hard at times but the fact youre still going is great. good luck!

    whats NROLFW?
  • MattN1972
    MattN1972 Posts: 117
    New rules of lifting for women.
  • JDBLY11
    JDBLY11 Posts: 577 Member
    whenever I go to the gym I start to get bored, ie: i usually do 3 sets of 10 reps for biceps and by that third set i can definitely feel the burn, but I'm bored the whole time, I have my head phones in, i'm focusing on my breathe and form, i'm holding my abs in and i'm still bored. i purposely dont check my phone the hour before i go to the gym so i have something to do while i do cardio. and then i spend most of the time at the gym trying to re-motivate myself. what do i doooooo?

    I like classes at the gym personally. There are those that involve aerobics with weights, spinning on bikes and step aerobics. These are so fun. Sadly I don't have a gym around here that has these options. I live in a rural area. I am not a dancer either so I am not a Zumba fan which seems to be the only class offered in my area. I like athletic workouts with very basic choreography.
  • mommylifter
    mommylifter Posts: 123
    Try switching up your routine. I personally loathe cardio with a burning passion and get bored as F doing it, but I find if I alternate between machines: treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, it keeps me going. A few others mentioned getting on a machine with a TV nearby. Sometimes I'll get into a show and before I know it, my 20 minutes are up. As far as weights goes, try getting some new motivating music to listen to. I find that if I have a good powering song on, I work harder and enjoy my workout better as well. I personally love Pink and find she motivates me!
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    Change it up.
    Try some classes, a workout buddy, a trainer, workout outdoors.

    Find something you actually enjoy.
  • helpfit101
    helpfit101 Posts: 347 Member
    I would agree you probably don't have a focused enough program. You should go into the gym with a plan.

    Get in get out. If you find yourself wondering what else to do get out.

    Also if you're bored I agree your weights might not be heavy enough. Change for a program like 5x5 which would require weights to be a lot heavier.

    If you get bored on your "break" between sets, do supersets. That means you can follow biceps with triceps without rest. There's other options too. Google for superset. Also minimize your breaks to 30-40 seconds if you want. A longer rest has certain advantages, but 30 seconds will be ok. You usually can use those 30-40 seconds to setup your next routine.

    Anyway if you need a longer rest after some heavy weight talk to the guy (or girl) next to you. And don't take your phone into the gym!
  • nornyb
    nornyb Posts: 224 Member
    Try circuit training supersets......instead of 3 sets of one exercise then moving on I go from biceps to triceps to back to chest to shoulders without rest, then take a 30 second ( or so) break and do it again for a total of 3 times. I do the same with lower body. I also change up my routine every 4-6 weeks so that by the time I'm getting bored with the current routine I am researching what I will be doing next.

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