Cardio gym sessions

lil_lizt
lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I go to the gym 5 days a week, lift 3 times and do cardio twice. Problem is I HATE cardio and just clock watch. Anyone got any tips to make the time go quicker or to make it more enjoyable? I've tried music and tv so far.

Replies

  • rachaelgifford
    rachaelgifford Posts: 320 Member
    What cardio are you doing? Sometimes I download a book onto my phone and read it whilst I am on the cross trainer if I am doing low intensity. Otherwise I kinda try to grin and bear it or get my cardio from classes!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I get on the stair master or spinner and watch netflix.

    Seriously- one or two episodes of Futurama or Doctor Who and I'm done.
    win win for me
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    X trainer which I used to love but my gym has since changed them to ones with an inbuilt stepper which I absolutely hate so I tried to switch it up and moved to the treadmill but that gives me pain in my shins
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    I also read or watch videos on my iPhone while doing cardio. Initially I hated it, my mind would wander all over while counting the minutes now I really look forward to that time to sort of zone out from all the other daily distractions while doing something just for me!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I don't like cardio in the gym or cardio machines. I only use them when I absolutely have to...I prefer to get on my bike and ride or go for a hike or swim, etc. I don't think there is anything that can make cardio machines fun...sometimes when there is inclimate weather i just skip cardio altogether rather than use those machines. My lifting is enough for the most part anyway...cardio is just a little extra fitness for my heart and lungs and missing a session here or there due to bad weather is no biggie.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I go to the gym 5 days a week, lift 3 times and do cardio twice. Problem is I HATE cardio and just clock watch. Anyone got any tips to make the time go quicker or to make it more enjoyable? I've tried music and tv so far.

    Skip the gym on cardio day and -

    walk
    run
    jog
    hike
    bike
    swim
    invest in some exercise DVD's to do at home (you'd be surprised how little space you need to work out)
    and last but not least YOUTUBE has tons of free workouts and workout channels - Jessica Smith tv is one of my faves but there are many many others.
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    I may take the dog on extra long walks on cardio day instead then. I've tried exercise DVDs but get bored halfway through, I have quite a short attention span lol
  • TheSwollMinister
    TheSwollMinister Posts: 246 Member
    Does your gym offer classes? I see some serious sweatin going on in there when I'm creepin through the windows... :ohwell:
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    Haha yeah they do, I may try spinning or something
  • rachaelgifford
    rachaelgifford Posts: 320 Member
    Spinning is great!!! Covers everything. :-)
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    Thanks :) it's a legs day tomorrow so I'll give it a go next cardio day (Tuesday)
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I go to the gym 5 days a week, lift 3 times and do cardio twice. Problem is I HATE cardio and just clock watch. Anyone got any tips to make the time go quicker or to make it more enjoyable? I've tried music and tv so far.


    a) Find a different cardio exercise.
    b) Don't do cardio.
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    If you like lifting, you could try lightweight circuits or barbell complexes for cardio. I'd make sure to do it carefully so it doesn't affect your recovery for lifting though. Also, I have a weight sled which I really like when I go out and use it. Sleds like a Prowler or any dragging sled are another badass way to use weights for cardiovascular conditioning.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    Group classes can be a ton of fun. You might also enjoy some of the stuff from Fitnessblender.com. They have several videos, and some of them are fairly intense interval workouts that are less than 10 minutes. Not long enough to get bored! I'm another who uses Netflix or network apps to catch up on shows while running/walking on the treadmill.
  • in4nomz
    in4nomz Posts: 230
    Try doing multiple machines. So say, 10 minutes running/treadmill, 10 minutes stair stepper, 10 minutes elliptical, etc. OR what works for me is HIIT training. Intervals are the best, for me I run at an incline for 3 minutes, then walk fast paced for 2. The "easier" walking time always goes by super fast, plus with HIIT training you don't need to go as long :)
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    a) Find a different cardio exercise.
    b) Don't do cardio.
    [/quote]

    Do I not need to do cardio to strip the fat off though?
  • lil_lizt
    lil_lizt Posts: 275 Member
    I'll give the classes a go and go from there :) can't get internet in my gym to try streaming else I could catch up on family guy etc. thanks for all the suggestions :)
  • msf74
    msf74 Posts: 3,498 Member
    Do I not need to do cardio to strip the fat off though?

    No wonder you don't like cardio...

    You need a calorie deficit to lose body fat. You generally achieve that mostly through diet although exercise (including cardio) can contribute to this.

    My suggestion would be to focus on diet and choose the exercises you like and concentrate on getting better at performing them without worrying about "calorie burn". You will achieve a better relationship with exercise in that way.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    a) Find a different cardio exercise.
    b) Don't do cardio.

    Do I not need to do cardio to strip the fat off though?


    No, not at all.
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    i also watch netflix on my phone or listen to music.
  • irisheyez718
    irisheyez718 Posts: 677 Member
    Have you tried Zumba? I rarely get bored with that.
  • CJ_Holmes
    CJ_Holmes Posts: 759 Member
    If you're going to do cardio, do something that you find fun. I need cardio for stress relief and my mental health! I bike every day, but in the dark winter I do classes.

    Not everyone likes it, but I LOVE Zumba! I can improve my dancing skills and it seriously makes my whole body feel fantastic. After a stressful work day, nothing makes me feel better. My HRM tells me I burn 400-800 calories per class, depending on the teacher (one guy is so hard I feel like I have done a triathlon, one is more relaxing.) Don't be shy, get in there and have some fun.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/screw_cardio_four_complexes_for_a_shredded_physique

    i really like the tumminello and cosgrove complexes in a masochistic kind of way

    i also make up my own triathlons.. my recent one is 2.5 mile run +2.5k row and 2.5 miles on the bike.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Skip the cardio, you don't need it totally, at least not for weight loss.

    Just do 20 min of something you would enjoy the most to get the HR up, couple times a week.

    Then make the lifting sessions longer.

    Now, you'll have to eat less on those days of course, so that might be a bummer.

    Or you could get up more during the day, walk to/from car longer, take all stairs, ect, and set your daily activity level to Lightly Active, that'll let you eat more too.
  • SandySweats
    SandySweats Posts: 38 Member
    If you still want to do cardio then try the high intensity stuff. I get on a machine, put in on manual then fluctuate the resistance to get the HIIT training. Example, today I was on the Adaptive Motion Trainer (by Precor). I did 2 mins at resistance 2, then 1 min at resistance 20, then 2 mins on 2, then 1 min on 20. Keep that up for 30 minutes. Then the next 30 mins I bounce around between 3, 5, and 7 every 2 mins or so.

    When I am constantly having to watch the timer and push buttons the time seems to fly. Plus I listen to music and watch the 4 TV sets they have going. I keep a scan of HGTV, Food Network, CNN, and ESPN, my iPod music and push buttons every 1 to 2 mins.
  • runner_bear
    runner_bear Posts: 11
    Watch something. Read something. Listen to a podcast or audiobook. Study something (seriously, a girl at my gym has maths textbooks with her whilst on the treadmill).

    If you incessantly check the machine's display, drape a towel or jacket over it so you can't see the numbers and how long you've got left.

    Find something you enjoy and do it - I get that it's not always possible to do cardio outside the gym, but there must be something in the gym you can enjoy. Explore the different machines - treadmill, crosstrainer, stepper, rowing machine, bike. Alternate them, swtich them. Decide on a distance to achieve and then move on to the next machine - try and get faster each time.

    There are also things you can do without much, if any equipment. Do jumping jacks. burpees, step ups, high knees on the spot. Put your favourite tunes on and dance like mad. Run up and down the stairs several times. Join a class. Join a sports team.

    There are so many options available, but as others before me have said - you don't need to do cardio at all, if it's not your thing.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Running in intervals breaks up the monotony for me. I like to change things up every time too...run 2 mins/walk 1 one day; run 1 min/walk 1/run 1, etc.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    a) Find a different cardio exercise.
    b) Don't do cardio.

    Do I not need to do cardio to strip the fat off though?
    [/quote]

    oh internet... you never fail to disappoint me.

    sigh.

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