cardio for an hour??

who does cardio for an hour and how do you stay focused?

the only way i can stay focused for cardio is by doing classes... e.g spin classes or group boxing...

as far as getting on a tread mill i will go for 15 mins and be bored, even with the sweet sound of music...

same goes for bikes, eclipse.... but pretty much i will do 15 on one then 15 on another then i cant go on any more i hit a wall?!?!

in that 15 mins i will go as hard as i can for as long as i can..

what about you?
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Replies

  • Runningmischka
    Runningmischka Posts: 386 Member
    Running outside does the trick for me. Somehow it does not get boring. I change my routes often, I enjoy the nature around me, and time flies so quickly. Don't remember last time I ran on a treadmill.
  • Zekela
    Zekela Posts: 634 Member
    I do cardio that I enjoy... Use the time to think while I'm working out alone... Sports like golf, I could never do that for long either since I do not enjoy it.
  • misschoppo
    misschoppo Posts: 463 Member

    the only way i can stay focused for cardio is by doing classes... e.g spin classes or group boxing...

    this ^

    I really enjoy group classes so find them a fun way to get my cardio done. I also find home dvds good when I just want to fit something in at home. Other than that the only "alone" cardio I can do without getting really bored is with the punchbag, . Treadmill or anything like that I am bored after 10 or 15minutes but that is not to say I don't do it sometimes, I just prefer to not do it very often.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    I watch movies. I use the gym at work and I have it to myself. I do an hour every morning. Works very well for me.
  • Ainar
    Ainar Posts: 858 Member
    I do a hour of cardio about once a week and 2 hours about once every 20 days. Usually it's 30 minutes. I would get bored on treadmill too, that's why I run outside at park. Even in winter at - 20°C, just dress up warm and no problem.

    I do listen to audio books not music. Music does not do the job so good for me. It's better than nothing but it just feels like it is playing at the background of boringness. Audio books on other hand makes my brain more engaged because I actually have to imagine story or understand information so it feels completely different than just music. Lately I've been listening to some internet marketing educational tapes and french lessons. It's like three birds with one stone - get my exercise in and get smarter at same time while avoiding getting bored. If I study at home sitting I get too easy distracted and bored. So exercises makes my learning more fun and learning makes my exercises more fun.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Do the activities you enjoy.

    I enjoy walking/hiking outside, Zumba, swimming, etc.

    If it's boring, either find a way to make it interesting to you or find something else.
  • MisterB42
    MisterB42 Posts: 8 Member
    I like the doing sprint cycles on all the cardio.
    So minute on and a minute off
    and distract myself by watching CSI that I have downloaded to my phone !! :bigsmile:


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  • Frood42
    Frood42 Posts: 245 Member
    Went for an extended bicycle commute this morning (lovely weather).
    I ended up doing 36 miles before work (2hrs 30mins) and I was glad we have showers!

    The nice weather here in the UK at the moment helps, but then I do cycle in, around and through London, so I get to see some of the sights (like the Thames, Houses of Parliment, London Eye, that sort of thing).
    .
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I mostly hike for cardio. Climbing hills, seeing panoramic views and glimpsing wildlife make an hour (usually more) fly by!

    When I have to, I also do low-impact cardio at the gym to keep my endurance up when I can't hike regularly. I usually bring an audiobook on my iPod and zone out.
  • maasha81
    maasha81 Posts: 733 Member
    Do something that you enjoy. I do workout DVDs and longest is approx. 55 mins ...Insanity. I'm so caught up at times that I don't even realize how quickly the time has gone. I have never been able to do treadmill or elliptical for an hour even with music on ...it's a chore to me so I simply don't do it.
  • Tillyecl1
    Tillyecl1 Posts: 189 Member
    It's a lot easier if you're outside. Especially if you do an "out and back" route because then focus doesn't come into it, if you want to get home you have to keep going :-D
  • Music does it for me. My iPod is loaded with lots of different music so I can match to my mood. I wear a heart rate monitor and keeping up with my progress and changing up my speed accordingly also occupies my mind. The hour on the seated elliptical seems to zoom by.
  • teranga79
    teranga79 Posts: 202 Member
    I find I can really get into it (mostly, I'm sure we all have off days, however we exercise). I put my headphones on and watch the TV. I also have little competitions in my head against other people in the gym. Yesterday the guy on the bike next to me was literally dripping sweat, I wanted to see if I could do that too! Didn't get there (just got sweat in my eyes enough to sting lol) but it really did push me.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    who does cardio for an hour and how do you stay focused?

    Anything less than an hour isn't worth getting changed for...

    That said I run and cycle outside in the real world and can't do machines as I'm bored to tears in minutes.

    So get outside in the real and train there.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    who does cardio for an hour and how do you stay focused?

    Anything less than an hour isn't worth getting changed for...

    That said I run and cycle outside in the real world and can't do machines as I'm bored to tears in minutes.

    So get outside in the real and train there.

    That kind of mentality stops way too many people from working out. I've had some great twenty minute runs and 30 minute bike rides.
  • Fentyman
    Fentyman Posts: 58 Member
    I day dream, intentionally.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Smartphone + Netflix.
  • Escloflowne
    Escloflowne Posts: 2,038 Member
    I only do about 30 minutes, any more than that and I don't feel like eating all those calories back!
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    Easiest 1-hour cardio: Go outdoors and walk/run/cycle in one direction for 30 minutes. Then go home.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    I am in the middle of season 2 of Breaking Bad (too hot and humid for me to run outside).

    But do what you enjoy--if you don't like steady state cardio then don't do it. You won't keep it up.

    The best exercise that you can do is one that you WILL do and have fun doing it.
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    once i got over 20 minutes, i started listening to audio books during cardio.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    Easiest 1-hour cardio: Go outdoors and walk/run/cycle in one direction for 30 minutes. Then go home.

    Yep, this is what I do. But if I have to go to the gym I take my Kindle with me to read. The tvs are only set to the same two stations and the shows get pretty boring after a while...worse if Dr. Oz is on when I'm there
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    who does cardio for an hour and how do you stay focused?

    Anything less than an hour isn't worth getting changed for...

    That said I run and cycle outside in the real world and can't do machines as I'm bored to tears in minutes.

    So get outside in the real and train there.

    That kind of mentality stops way too many people from working out. I've had some great twenty minute runs and 30 minute bike rides.

    Same as Apollo here.
    Ive had great 2.5mi runs and it only took like 20min.
  • nonacgp
    nonacgp Posts: 132
    I hear you. I solved boredom on the treadmill by putting a television in the room. I record all my favorite hour long dramas (Chicago PD, Gang related, Tyrrany etc.) and then I watch while I'm on the treadmill. Time flies by and get to watch my favorite shows. So far so good. Couldn't do it just to music. I, too would be bored and probably quit. Good luck in finding your niche!!
  • buzzardsrule
    buzzardsrule Posts: 183 Member
    Find the exercise that's right for you and it doesn't have to be for an hour. When I started this in March I used to do 30 minutes in the morning before work and then a different workout in the evening. I just try and mix it up with different workouts, running, walking, DVDs, kettlebells, Fitness Blender HIIT videos on YouTube, try different things and you will find something you love.
  • jababy3
    jababy3 Posts: 1
    What motivates me to keep going during a long treadmill workout is watching Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition. I will pull up an episode on YouTube and get to treading. It's completely inspirational to watch the people transform.
  • Ryan_Case
    Ryan_Case Posts: 29 Member
    I do an hour on the elliptical three to four times a week. I really do whatever it takes me to get to at least five miles.

    I do it in front of the cardio theatre and I play games in my head with it. I do my best to try and guess how far into what DIY/HGTV show I will need to be to make an hour and then I try not to look at the clock or timer.

    I don't mind cardio, but if I clock watch it feels like it takes forever. Better to say, "I won't look until the third commercial break" and then when it gets there tell yourself, "I can wait until the next one."

    But I am all about personal mind games to get through things.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Go outside!
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Most of my cardio is outside. that alone keeps me happy. But functional activities like hiking, sports, etc also help keep me going.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    I walk and jog outside on either my favorite walking trail or to the bridge. You cant quit even if you feel like it cuz you aren't home yet. This is the only way I can get in my four to six miles for the day. My tunes help out a lot too. There is always something new to see when you walk outside