reading while at the gym, really?

I read books on my iPad while I'm on the elliptical but I certainly don't consider cardio working out. Lifting is working out and I don't read or talk on my phone while I lift.

I ran my fastest and longest yesterday thanks to taking my new Kindle with me on the treadmill. I watched 3 episodes of Arrested Development on Netflix, looked down and said "Oh ****, I ran a mile longer than I planned on, look at me go!!" LOL

ETA: Oh yeah, I ran 6 miles without stopping... Normally I would take a walking break in there at some point, but I was caught up in my show and realized I should have been pushing myself a lot harder I guess!

I have a question for the OP. Genuine one, not being snarky. If I get on the treadmill and set a program - time, distance, speed, intervals, etc. - and then am reading while I'm doing that workout, am I really not getting as good of a workout as if I focused on the workout? How exactly am I getting a better workout by focusing on the workout the treadmill in essence is putting me through? Again that's a serious question. If I'm getting a better workout by focusing, and you can give me a reasonable explanation as to why that's the case, I'm sure willing to try it.

I run outside (so no reading during that) and strength train with a trainer (who doesn't give me time to read), so primarily I'm reading when I'm getting 20-30 minutes of moderate cardio prior to my trainer sessions. Not trying to burn high calories - just trying to warm up the body.

To the OP: I understand what you mean. Yeah, yeah, it's better than sitting at home, but I'd be curious at how much benefit they're getting. I think it speaks to that people seem to need to be distracted all the time, no one can live in the moment. Case in point: I did some spa time with the wife on vacation, and people had their f*****g cell phones with them, really? I do hiit, I barely notice the good looking women in my circuit, because I need to concentrate when doing halos with a 70 lb kettle bell.

And yes, lifting heavy s**t doesn't get old. And yes, I've done the tv while on the elliptical, not any more.

Music is different, it enhances the workout, not dstracts. It's like dancing that way.

If your workout is so boring you need distraction, get a different workout, and experience the joy of being in the zone, not zoned out.

i dont think this is quite true! I can run indoors or out, with or without music/tv/etc and I am not bored either way. For me, I don't mind multi tasking and look forward to being able to listen to an audiobook or watch a show when I end up stuck on the treadmill because as a single mom working 10 hour shifts, I dont get much free time. So combining the treadmill with watching tv or hearing a book means I get to kill two birds with one stone. It doesnt mean I am not working hard, or am detached from the moment. Every case is different, so maybe it just isnt our place to pay attention to what other people do in the gym!

Have you ever considered the fact that there are a lot of people who are physically incapable of "hauling *kitten*" on the treadmill, elliptical, etc? My mom has a leg and a back injury that prevents her from walking faster than 3-4mph. She happily reads her kindle on the treadmill because she enjoys reading and it helps pass the time. She's lost almost 30lbs so far. Far from an "epic fail".

i never said it was an epic fail..I asked for opinions and that was one of the options...

don't put text in my mouth...

maybe she would of lost 50 if she put down the kindle...??

I have a question for the OP. Genuine one, not being snarky. If I get on the treadmill and set a program - time, distance, speed, intervals, etc. - and then am reading while I'm doing that workout, am I really not getting as good of a workout as if I focused on the workout? How exactly am I getting a better workout by focusing on the workout the treadmill in essence is putting me through? Again that's a serious question. If I'm getting a better workout by focusing, and you can give me a reasonable explanation as to why that's the case, I'm sure willing to try it.

I run outside (so no reading during that) and strength train with a trainer (who doesn't give me time to read), so primarily I'm reading when I'm getting 20-30 minutes of moderate cardio prior to my trainer sessions. Not trying to burn high calories - just trying to warm up the body.

Well, studies show that focusing burns 50% more calories...again, smh....

I've never been to the gym but I wouldn't see why not reading while working out... I'm used to biking outdoors and I have to keep an eye on the potholes and traffic, then I have the scenery, my own thoughts... unless I'm absolutely aiming for a certain pace, my mind is totally elsewhere but without all that outside factors that keep my brain busy, I would probably find it very boring on a machine.

Personally I hate the gym. I run and run for hours outside. But I find it difficult to practice speed outside, so one day a week I take it to the mill. I hate being there so I need a distraction to get my work done. I use the zombie run app on my phone and listen to Sam telling me to run and keeping me from the zombies. No way I'd be able to read at 7.5. I'd get motion sickness.

That being said, the guy next to me on the mill was clearly running faster than I. He was reading a magazine. I didn't quiz him on his comprehension but he was most definitely getting a great workout.

I think distraction is ok if you still get the work done. I just prefer it in the form of something I can listen too rather than something I have to look at. Though at home when I do my body weight resistance program, I watch tv while I do it.

Oh and for the record, my phone doesn't fit in the palm of my hand...it's the galaxy note 2. It's a monster!

It's affects on me if somebody wants to read at the gym=zero.

They are moving and making an effort, not everybody is looking for those optimal results so really...
what do I, or anybody else care?

It bothers me if someone sits and reads for 20 minutes on the leg press or incline bench that I would like to use. We have a separate women's area and it is fairly busy and light on equipment with one or two pieces of equipment. And invariably, there's a couple ladies who bring their books and sit and read forever on 15-20 minutes while doing two sets. I don't give them grief - I just try and occupy my time while I wait.

I agree with the majority here; if it works for them and isn't disrespectful for others in the gym, why should it matter? I don't attend a gym so this doesn't 100% apply to me but I'm an outdoor runner so when it's rainy or cold or I just don't have it in me, I run indoors. It's very, very hard for me to complete my exercise indoors so often I watch Breaking Bad or Lost on Netflix just to pass the time. I've been running for half a year now -- my legs know what they're doing, and since I don't need to focus on dodging cars or my pace I don't see why I can't avert my attention to something not cardio related. At least these people are moving while doing something they could be doing sitting down.