Why does strength training seem so boring compared to cardio?

melodyis4reals
melodyis4reals Posts: 186 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
Please help me like the idea of strength training by giving me suggestions!
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Replies

  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    I have the exact opposite opinion. Cardio is the worst lol.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    Challenge yourself. :)
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    People have different preferences. Weird, right?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    are you doing any kind of actual program? have you established any actual goals related to your resistance training?
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Start using challenging weights and you won't be so bored.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Start a progressive program that continues to challenge you, then you wont get bored
  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    If you prefer cardio you might like to do kettlebells for your resistance/strength training. I love them.
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    Setting and breaking PRs -- grinding away until you make/break them -- is immensely satisfying. All you want is more and more.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    It just depends on you. I prefer weight training to cardio for sure.
  • Noodle797
    Noodle797 Posts: 366 Member
    I felt the exact same way, until I started working with a personal trainer. Now I actually have direction & even though it's still not my favorite thing I don't feel like I'd rather have a root canal than lift weights.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    what?????
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    You could try kettlebells. I know lots of people who HATE lifting weights but love kettlebells!
  • mike_bold
    mike_bold Posts: 140 Member
    you should be scared! Not bored :) Like I'm gonna squat this weight with no spotters, it's close to my 1RM and I might not make it kind of scared. Strength training needs goals.

    I couldn't think of anything worse than 45 mins on a bike, treadmill or elliptical. Mind numbing. That's why I box for my cardio, it's more fun.
  • melodyis4reals
    melodyis4reals Posts: 186 Member
    Noodle797 wrote: »
    I felt the exact same way, until I started working with a personal trainer. Now I actually have direction & even though it's still not my favorite thing I don't feel like I'd rather have a root canal than lift weights.


    You hit the nail on the head, I have no direction. With cardio, I just go. With strength training, I don't know what to do next! I get bored and go back to cardio.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Iron_Miss_Canada wrote: »
    Start using challenging weights and you won't be so bored.

    this
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    I have the exact opposite opinion. Cardio is the worst lol.

    Same here.

    OP-have you tried any bootcamp classes or circuit style training? It's not quite "lifting heavy" but a good class can give you a solid mix of cardio and strength training. I got in awesome shape with circuits long before I found my love of lifting.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    The best answer for me is I can let my mind wander while doing cardio, but I have to pay attention when strength training. Second best is I can't do the training I want at home for free.
  • melodyis4reals
    melodyis4reals Posts: 186 Member
    Any programs that you can recommend? I don't have a personal trainer and do all my exercise at home. I can buy weights or a bench if I need off of Craigslist.
  • jmule24
    jmule24 Posts: 1,382 Member
    LolBroScience wrote: »
    Iron_Miss_Canada wrote: »
    Start using challenging weights and you won't be so bored.

    this

    cosign
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    Strong lifts always comes highly recommended if you want to lift

    If you want a fun at home workout-try the tough mudder "training" on their website. Lots of body weight exercises, minimal equipment needed.

    Their are also tons of YouTube pages that use Dumbbells and little equipment. I like Melissa bender fitness myself, but I'm sure others will be along with more recommendations.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    I might suggest mixing it up for a while. There are thousands of work-outs on the Internet -- barbell complexes, kettlebell routines, strength training schemes, Crossfit-like circuit routines, etc. Try a different one each time. You might not progress the same way you might if you did a 5X5 program, or some other program, over and over. But that is not to worry. Right now, you are getting yourself in the gym regularly and getting yourself comfortable. You'll find something you like.
    Might I suggest something else too? I too tend to be a cardio person. I find that when I go into the gym I want to race through my sets. That is I do not take enough time in between my reps. I go: 1-2-3-4-etc-etc. Instead of going: 1-two beats-2-two beats-3-two beats-etc. It's what we cardio people do, or at least it is what I do. But, it makes lifting much less comfortable, which makes it much less pleasurable and more difficult, which makes me like it less, which makes me not want to go to the gym.
    So, maybe try going a bit slower on your sets. You might find weights more pleasant. And, you might be less likely to complain...just maybe. It works for me.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    melodyis4reals wrote: »
    Noodle797 wrote: »
    I felt the exact same way, until I started working with a personal trainer. Now I actually have direction & even though it's still not my favorite thing I don't feel like I'd rather have a root canal than lift weights.


    You hit the nail on the head, I have no direction. With cardio, I just go. With strength training, I don't know what to do next! I get bored and go back to cardio.

    Then find a program and stick with it.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    Even though I do lift heavy I still find that it's boring also. That is why I limit my weightlifting to 75 minutes per session and do HIIT, run, skate, and TAE Bo along with weightlifting.
  • Naener
    Naener Posts: 167 Member
    classes! the 24 hour fitness locations have a great weight training class called Body Pump. its a les mills program, you can find all the workouts on youtube. i love the class settings, it really gets me into it with the music and gets me to challenge myself!
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Google nrol or stronglifts
  • melodyis4reals
    melodyis4reals Posts: 186 Member
    Iron_Miss_Canada wrote: »
    Then find a program and stick with it.

    This is why I am asking for help, so I can find a program. Lol!
  • melodyis4reals
    melodyis4reals Posts: 186 Member
    I just looked up stronglifts and Melissa Bender. Also thanks tufel, you gave me a lot to look up. As someone who is new to exercising, knowing what routine or program to follow is overwhelming. I need things spelled out and a visual of what I am suppose to do. Comments like that tell me to get heavier weights or stick with a program would be great if I had a set of weights, a gym membership, or knowledge of different programs. When I envision strength training, it's doing bicep curls for ten minutes and then doing some other arm muscle rep for 10 minutes after. Again thanks for ideas, things to look up, and suggestions. I have been on MFP for 3 months now and lost 24 pounds. I am close to my goal weight but want to maintain working out and know that strength training is something that I should incorporate in my weekly routine.
  • slaite1
    slaite1 Posts: 1,307 Member
    You have a great attitude, and it is definitely overwhelming when you are beginner! Your description is definitely not normal weight lifting ha ha, but it took me a couple of years to realize that too. I'm sure you'll find something you like, good luck.
  • solarfish
    solarfish Posts: 50 Member
    I started weight training for the first time, 47 years old, about 10 weeks ago. I'm doing stronglifts 5x5, not boring at all, very easy to understand but very challenging now the weights are getting heavier. I can certainly recommend it for beginners.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    melodyis4reals wrote: »
    I just looked up stronglifts and Melissa Bender. Also thanks tufel, you gave me a lot to look up. As someone who is new to exercising, knowing what routine or program to follow is overwhelming. I need things spelled out and a visual of what I am suppose to do. Comments like that tell me to get heavier weights or stick with a program would be great if I had a set of weights, a gym membership, or knowledge of different programs. When I envision strength training, it's doing bicep curls for ten minutes and then doing some other arm muscle rep for 10 minutes after. Again thanks for ideas, things to look up, and suggestions. I have been on MFP for 3 months now and lost 24 pounds. I am close to my goal weight but want to maintain working out and know that strength training is something that I should incorporate in my weekly routine.

    First, congrats on the loss! If you're looking for something that properly challenges you at home without weights, try you are your own gym. I might be a powerlifter who prefers her weights heavy, but I do enough body weight rehab/prehab moves to respect it completely.

    And yeah, ten minutes of bicep curls? I put my way through my two or three sets a week.
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