reading while at the gym, really?

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Replies

  • Coquette6
    Coquette6 Posts: 158 Member
    I'm in vet school. This means a lot of sitting in lecture halls and a lot of studying after class (more sitting). So I don't get to move much during the day, and then I have to do more sitting to study at night. Sometimes, I study on an exercise bike. I can't run while reading, I get dizzy, but if I'm cycling, my head is more or less stable and I can read my notes. I burn calories and I review my classwork. Win-win. Am I working out as hard as if I'd left the notes at home? No. But I am getting a work out in, even if it's not perfect.
  • cindiva65
    cindiva65 Posts: 335 Member
    The ellipticals and treadmills at my gyms have built in TVs...so whats the difference between watching that or reading a book? I set my treadmill to the program intensity that I want to work out at and go from there. Ive not had to monitor it yet.
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    I tried for a while to read with my nook while working out on a treadmill or an elliptical. It was darn near impossible to focus on the print as it bounced all over the place (OK IT was mee who was bouncing not the nook). I figured it was a lost cause. When I could read the text, I was slowed way down to the point I wasn't having as effective a workout.

    I wonder about the people with magazines on their cardio equipment. Are they just looking at the pictures, or are they actually reading.
  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    When I was first starting out using treadmills I'd stick a video on my phone and prop it up on the console. Problem is once you progress to anything beyond "light jog" the vibrations of the machine make it nigh on impossible, so now it gets strapped to my arm and I listen to a podcast. I find it easier to run with something unfamiliar like a podcast as it's a lot more distracting.
  • _SABOTEUR_
    _SABOTEUR_ Posts: 6,833 Member
    I read if I'm doing LISS or MISS. Especially on a machine at the gym. Takes my mind off the boredom.
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    If I'm doing any cardio of any kind, it's fasted LISS; a brisk walk, at best. And I can easily read and do that. If I weren't doing that, I'd likely be leaving the gym earlier and sitting in the LazBoy at home with the same book. So I don't see a down side.
  • tlou5
    tlou5 Posts: 497 Member
    OP- They were probably reading your post...OMG! You have completely changed their lives for the better!!! I am SURE they will never do it again...Man you are totally my hero!

    :bigsmile:
  • fit4lifeUcan2
    fit4lifeUcan2 Posts: 1,458 Member
    My mom takes her Kindle to the gym and I see older men reading the Newspaper quite often. The people who do this are probably aiming to keep their mind off the fact that they are in fact exercising. I don't see it as a fail, I see it as a win. The could easily be doing the same thing, but sitting down. At least they're moving.

    don't you think they would have better progress/results if they concentrated on their routine for an hour?

    You're running on a treadmill you're not doing a science experiment. What is there to concentrate on?
    I'm bored to death on a treadmill so I bring a book and study while I do my run or prop my book on my exercise bike.
  • TinaRoberts67
    TinaRoberts67 Posts: 35 Member
    I have been known to read on the treadmill or bike. It keeps me from watching the clock on my workout. I can get lost in a book so easily that nothing around me matters...lol I have sense graduated to audio books but I still tend to clock watch if my eyes are visually entertained.
  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
    To be honest, I read sometimes if it's a day where I am only doing cardio and I am REALLY dragging my feet to go to the gym. I love music, and music helps A LOT as well, but getting lost in a book helps the time fly! I don't really mind what people do at the gym, so long as they are being respectful of other people (ie, not hogging multiple machines for reps without sharing).
  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
    I have been known to read on the treadmill or bike. It keeps me from watching the clock on my workout. I can get lost in a book so easily that nothing around me matters...lol I have sense graduated to audio books but I still tend to clock watch if my eyes are visually entertained.

    Yep, I do the same thing! Very frustrating, too! Much easier to read if the time isn't going by fast enough.
  • AJinBirmingham
    AJinBirmingham Posts: 497
    Worrying about whether or not other people are working out hard enough while at the gym, really?
  • lbdthornton
    lbdthornton Posts: 7
    Worrying about whether or not other people are working out hard enough while at the gym, really?

    This!!
  • mandeenicoleb
    mandeenicoleb Posts: 479 Member
    I mean, I've done it way way in the past. I work full time and go to school full time so there was a time I needed to study for an exam and I honestly wouldn't have time to work out that day if I dedicated all my time to studying (which is just as important as my fitness). So I took my text book to the gym only 3 blocks away from home) and studied on the treadmill. I wasn't working out as hard as I usually would sure. Either way some exercise was better than no exercise and why not burn calories while reading?

    We don't always know everyone's story or what their goals are. They could even be rehabilitating an injury and taking it slow and why not read a book? OR they just want to read a book! To each their own. Not everyone needs/wants to work out like a beast.

    I'm not one to judge at a gym. I just always appreciate a person who chooses to get up and go any which way they can :D
  • CrankMeUp
    CrankMeUp Posts: 2,860 Member
    Really?

    you cared enough about this to complain about it on MFP?
  • DivaColumbus
    DivaColumbus Posts: 25 Member
    I take my Kindle or Nook to read while on the treadmill every morning. It beats watching the clock and even with 5 television sets in front of me, there is rarely anything worth watching at 6:00 a.m. I believe whatever works for each person is cool; I'm just glad to be moving and working towards a healthier life.
  • DesdemonaRose
    DesdemonaRose Posts: 190
    I multitask a lot if I'm biking or using the eplitical, it keeps me from getting bored. Sometimes I'll work out harder because I'll be so into my book I won't feel any fatigue until I am finished. It doesn't take that much concentration to repeat the same motion over and over and over.

    Now if someone was doing yoga and reading.. well... I'd probably be impressed.
  • garber6th
    garber6th Posts: 1,890 Member
    Personally, I like to completely disconnect from anything else when I am working out. I don't even bring my phone into the gym with me, I just bring my iPod so I can listen to music. I don't even like using the machines that have the tv screen on them, they are just a distraction to me. I focus better this way.
  • Charweezie
    Charweezie Posts: 115 Member
    Personally.... I like to be on my phone checking emails, instagram, facebook while starting off on the treadmill.. with earplugs jamming out.. i work and focus better that way. If i take my mind off how boring the treadmill is (even whiling doing 3.5mph, inclining at 8) i seem to be able to stay on alot longer with my phone in hand.

    Im one of those people that needs the radio and tv on while doing homework.. call me weird.. :/
  • RaineMarie
    RaineMarie Posts: 158 Member
    I definitely brought flashcards to the gym while I was studying for the bar exam. I could easily flip through them while on the stationery bike, and in between sets on the weight lifting machines. Granted, I wasnt making any sort of progress at all at that time, but it did provide some much-needed stress relief, and hey, I passed the bar exam. (Then I hired a personal trainer, and learned how to lift properly.)

    Now - I could not possibly bring anything to read, even if I am just using the stationery bike. I cant concentrate on keeping a good pace on the bike, and read something at the same time. And I have certainly learned better than to bring anything other than my workout plan into the weight room with me ;) Live and learn.
  • csuhar
    csuhar Posts: 779 Member
    My mom takes her Kindle to the gym and I see older men reading the Newspaper quite often. The people who do this are probably aiming to keep their mind off the fact that they are in fact exercising. I don't see it as a fail, I see it as a win. The could easily be doing the same thing, but sitting down. At least they're moving.

    don't you think they would have better progress/results if they concentrated on their routine for an hour?

    I think it would depend on what their goals are. If their goal is to simply be doing something physical, then they're meeting that goal.

    If their goals are more focused on performance and progression, then I'd say it could be an issue for them, especially if it's distracting them. If they're in a rest phase, it doesn't matter if their eyes are in a book or looking around the gym.

    Personally, it never occurred to me to bring reading material for a calisthenics / weightlifting workout, and the stationary bike was the only cardio I could do while reading something at the same time. So I had a book with me when I first started on the stationary bikes, but once I transitioned to treadmills or track / outdoor running for my cardio, the only book I brought with me was my log book.
  • melaniebuxton21
    melaniebuxton21 Posts: 7 Member
    Concentrating too much on what others are doing is the only thing that will take the intensity out of your workout on this occasion.
  • sc10985
    sc10985 Posts: 347 Member
    If I'm on a stationary bike, sure. Not really able to read anywhere else, and the stationary bike for me is when I need to get blood flow to continue in my legs after a particularly strenuous lower day.

    But to each his own. Everybody seems to be reading something at my gym.

    I could see the bike..

    the tablet thing really blew my mind...LOL

    Maybe the person had their workout routine on the tablet.
    I've used my phone to run my routine. A tablet would do the same thing.

    But all n all, I say to each his own. I don't judge anyone in the gym and hope I get the same courtesy.

    Do you think people who watch the TV's and people who are listening to music in the gym are not trying hard enough either?
    Just curious as to which electronics are okay and which are not.

    music approved...a good play list will get you through any day ..

    everything else = epic fail/not trying hard enough

    These are YOUR words aren't they??? Only music is acceptable, everything else=epic fail. And as for the 50lb comment, well that just made you sound arrogant and a bit stupid.

    i was just providing some advice as to how to lose more...that is arrogant?

    Actually what you said was the farthest thing from advice.

    "Maybe she would have lost 50 if she put down the kindle?"

    What you stated was an asinine assumption based on zero facts, punctuated with a question mark so it appeared innocent. Nice try though!!
  • Rambo529
    Rambo529 Posts: 170 Member
    I used to take my textbooks into the gym when I was in college. Only when I would bike though. I had to actually concentrate when lifting, so no books on those days. Now that I'm not in college anymore, I don't read while doing cardio. I do short intense cardio work though, instead of longer bike rides (knee injury, had to improvise what could be done effectively without screwing it up worse). I've seen some people when on the bikes reading, but not often. I guess as long as they are doing something and not just sitting on a machine to read I don't really care.
  • aliceb39
    aliceb39 Posts: 84 Member
    Wow--lots of comments on this topic! I read the first page, and don't have time to read the rest. If I'm not reading my Kindle while on my stat bike, I get tired after 10 - 15 minutes; I can only go that long when I count to 1000 down-pedals on my right foot. But if I read my Kindle, I can go 20 - 30 minutes without even realizing it. I'm pedaling just as fast, but it just makes the time fly by.
  • PrettyPearl88
    PrettyPearl88 Posts: 368 Member
    I saw someone on a treadmill reading a book today, and it kind of got me to thinking. If you are on a treadmill running/walking whatever, how can you concentrate on reading a book? Another person brings in a tablet and sets it on ground in front of them when working with some of the machines...weird..

    In my humble opinion, if you are reading book or watching a tablet while at gym then said person is not working out hard enough and/or are not concentrating on routine.

    I mean we can't go to the gym for an hour without brining a book or tablet, really?

    curious what the rest of you think ....read/tablet = yes, no, or epic fail ....

    My opinion? Don't judge! It's not your business what other people do while they're on the cardio machines at the gym. If it works for them, great! I simply applaud people for making the time and effort to be healthy, no matter how they do it!

    Some people like to read while doing cardio and can concentrate. For those people, it's enjoyable to do some light, fun reading at the gym and distracts them from getting bored with their routine. And some people HAVE to read at the gym; they REALLY "can't go to the gym for an hour without a book or tablet" because they have extremely busy schedules and have required reading or studying for work or school that they have to do. Don't judge. You don't know other people's lives. For some people, the only way they can even make time for the gym is to do such multitasking.

    I say all of this because I'm a law student. I often bring books and do some studying at the gym. The elliptical and the stationary bike are the only machines I can study on though, the bike being the best. My concentration isn't at 100% on my reading or my cardio, but I still get a fairly decent workout and a portion of my reading done for classes. I am so busy in law school that many days, I honestly can't afford to take an hour break to focus solely on my workout at the gym. The only way I can even get my workouts in many days is to study at the same time. It's better than nothing!
  • nathalier71
    nathalier71 Posts: 570 Member
    I prefer than than people who can't spend more than 2 seconds without their cell phones =) At least it doesn't disrupt anyone else around and therefor not disrespectful either.
  • Amyp7777
    Amyp7777 Posts: 79
    When I belonged to a gym, I would walk at an incline 4mph or lower for about half an hour before weights. If I didn't have a magazine to look at, I'd be watching the clock the whole time. I would have trouble really reading an article if going faster, but even looking at the pics gives me something to focus on. And if it's a fitness magazine, the pics are a good motivator.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    My mom takes her Kindle to the gym and I see older men reading the Newspaper quite often. The people who do this are probably aiming to keep their mind off the fact that they are in fact exercising. I don't see it as a fail, I see it as a win. The could easily be doing the same thing, but sitting down. At least they're moving.

    don't you think they would have better progress/results if they concentrated on their routine for an hour?

    I do read my kindle when I am on the bike. I am curious as to how I would get better results if I concentrated more on my feet pedaling than if I read a book as I can't figure that out. I know how fast I should be going and I check my rpms and distance to make sure I am not slowing down, but other than that, I don't see how only thinking about biking for that 45 minutes as opposed to reading makes a difference.
  • errorika
    errorika Posts: 89 Member
    I read books when I'm on the elliptical for the same reason I listen to audiobooks when I run. It helps me not talk myself out of continuing the workout.

    The best part about using a Kindle is that I can blow the font up super huge, so no matter how much bouncing I'm doing I can still keep my place.

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