Why does strength training seem so boring compared to cardio?

I love cardio (I'm a runner) but what I love about my strength training is the burn the next day and the soreness - feelings of progress!

Alidecker wrote: »

Mycophilia wrote: »

I have the exact opposite opinion. Cardio is the worst lol.

Totally agree, I have to force myself to do cardio. I have found that HIIT and some classes make it better, but the dreadmill, the elliptical or stationary bike are awful to me.

Then don't do them. Do some other form that you find fun and exciting.
Treadmill puts me to sleep. Same for the other indoor cardio stuff you listed.
But I can go outside and run, and enjoy it. Changing environment, changing views, and then for fun I use the Zombies, Run! app, so I am in a story, and occasionally have to run from zombs. 11pm, just me on the streets, zombs moaning in the distance but gaining...just the motivation I need to get me up the big hill a little faster.

Found a nice little gym called 9 Rounds. The system is set on doing 3min rounds at 9 different stations, each with its own kick boxing type exercise (They change the course every couple of days). 30 seconds between rounds is filled with some other random thing...or putting on gloves, as punching a bag is better with gloves, but trying to jump rope with gloves is not so good. Very fast paced, cardio, while also making you work hard/strong.

Yep. Exactly what I was coming on here to say! What exactly are you doing that's boring? I get giddy before each lifting session. Best thing ever!

nakedraygun wrote: »

Setting and breaking PRs -- grinding away until you make/break them -- is immensely satisfying. All you want is more and more.

Morgaath wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

Mycophilia wrote: »

I have the exact opposite opinion. Cardio is the worst lol.

Totally agree, I have to force myself to do cardio. I have found that HIIT and some classes make it better, but the dreadmill, the elliptical or stationary bike are awful to me.

Then don't do them. Do some other form that you find fun and exciting.
Treadmill puts me to sleep. Same for the other indoor cardio stuff you listed.
But I can go outside and run, and enjoy it. Changing environment, changing views, and then for fun I use the Zombies, Run! app, so I am in a story, and occasionally have to run from zombs. 11pm, just me on the streets, zombs moaning in the distance but gaining...just the motivation I need to get me up the big hill a little faster.

Found a nice little gym called 9 Rounds. The system is set on doing 3min rounds at 9 different stations, each with its own kick boxing type exercise (They change the course every couple of days). 30 seconds between rounds is filled with some other random thing...or putting on gloves, as punching a bag is better with gloves, but trying to jump rope with gloves is not so good. Very fast paced, cardio, while also making you work hard/strong.

I don't do the machines for extended periods of time....that is why I do the HIIT and classes instead

I went to a class at 9 Rounds just last week. It was a good class and got my heart rate up pretty good. I just can't justify another gym membership right now and it was not convenient. A friend asked me to go with her to try it out, as she is trying to find some sort of exercise to do on a regular basis and all my friends know that I am willing to try any class at least once.

What's boring about deadlifting more than you weigh? Not one thing.

Iron_Miss_Canada wrote: »

Start using challenging weights and you won't be so bored.

I was thinking the same thing. Lifting is many things but "boring" is not a word often used to describe it

If you truly are bored, I suggest choosing a new lifting program as others have suggested in this thread

Alidecker wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

I don't do the machines for extended periods of time....

I don't do machines at all. Just go for a run or a ride...

I had hip surgery and I am not supposed to run and I get bored walking by myself unless it is perfect weather and the treadmill works for a short cardio session after my resistance training.

That's fair.

I'd had dire warnings from doctors when I had knee and ankle reconstruction, though that was a while ago. As long as I don't push it too hard I'm good for about 16 miles at the moment and continuing to work up.

Mycophilia wrote: »

I have the exact opposite opinion. Cardio is the worst lol.

^^ Me too! I hate cardio. I could lift everyday for hours.

Cass2025 wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

I don't do the machines for extended periods of time....

I don't do machines at all. Just go for a run or a ride...

I had hip surgery and I am not supposed to run and I get bored walking by myself unless it is perfect weather and the treadmill works for a short cardio session after my resistance training.

That's fair.

I'd had dire warnings from doctors when I had knee and ankle reconstruction, though that was a while ago. As long as I don't push it too hard I'm good for about 16 miles at the moment and continuing to work up.

I can definitely relate I tore my acl and meniscus twice in my right knee had to have 2 total reconstructive knee surgeries Dr. pushed for me not to run or lift or play sports and that was my life besides family but I started slowly getting back into it and man did it hurt it and was beyond frustrating it was a long slow process but now I can squat more than I did before I got hurt so don't give up its gonna hurt but eventually what you couldnt do yesterday will be your warm up Good luck on your Journey

I had a total hip replacement. If I had been a runner prior to the surgery, he may have had a different tune. I have never enjoyed running. Of course the instant he told me I should never run, I had this feeling that I wanted to run. I do run/walk and I start the C25K, but never finish it. I figure the intervals of my run/walk are fine for what I want. That is even what I have done in the triathlons I have completed. (Shhh, don't tell the doctor:))

It did make squats and deadlifts a lot easier and my form got much better on almost everything after the hip replacement. However it makes my PR's a little weird...DL, Squat and bench are all exactly the same right now

JoRocka wrote: »

I'm actually yawning here because I'm so bored.

Spaloosh!

DanScheuerman wrote: »

I love cardio (I'm a runner) but what I love about my strength training is the burn the next day and the soreness - feelings of progress!

This.

melodyis4reals wrote: »

Please help me like the idea of strength training by giving me suggestions!

I find it boring too. I don't like workouts where I'm surrounded by walls. I prefer to walk, hike, play tennis, ride my bike, etc. That said, I force myself to lift weights because I'm seeing benefits that I really like that I don't get from those activities.

I made it easy for myself by setting up a gym in my basement though. I commit 3-4 sessions a week and just do it. Sometimes that means I'm lifting in my pajamas.

Have you ever done a pull up? Dead lifted your body weight? Leg pressed 300 lbs? Not boring. Be awesome.

yesimpson wrote: »

MeanderingMammal wrote: »

melodyis4reals wrote: »

Please help me like the idea of strength training by giving me suggestions!

But I know what you mean, I'd rather go for a long run or a cycle than do resistance work. For me resistance work is a means to an end, as it helps my running and cycling performance. Whilst that doesn't alleviate the boredom it provides some purpose for the session.

.

In total agreement. Strength training takes up maybe an hour a week for me, so I try to think positively about it - it's great for me, it helps me be a better runner, it has had an effect on my body composition. We can't enjoy every aspect of fitness all the time, so sometimes you just need to push yourself through it, and accept it as a necessary functional part of getting fitter.

yopeeps025 wrote: »

This is a first. I don't think OP likes to challenge herself with exercise. I really cannot understand how lifting weights is boring. It's one of if not my favorite activity. I even tailor routines to allow for more lifting days in a week.

Different strokes for different folks. I don't enjoy resistance work, but I sure as hell enjoyed running 15K yesterday in what for England was a very hot day. That was challenging, but enjoyable, in a way lifting heavy weights wouldn't be for me, and sounds like it isn't for the OP either.

No kidding. I think more like this the nearer I get to 40. I would rather take a different approach than I have to right now (well right now i'm not doing anything at all), but injury prevention (and rehab) and health are starting to edge out over vanity. Finally.

Interesting that many are essentially responding with the mere assertion that lifting isn't boring.

Essentially any session is about objectives. For some the prospect of spending an hour in the gym, twenty minutes of which is actual work and forty minutes is spent faffing about with the equipment, or standing about waiting to do some actual work is boring. If the objective is met, despite the tedium, then that's fine. Doesn't make it interesting, merely effective.

If I compare to what I do by preference, running. Not all sessions are enjoyable. 20Km through forestry and open countryside in good conditions is enjoyable. Wouldn't always say it's fun, but it's worth doing. 20km on pavement through London is a bit of a grind, but achieves the objectives. 10Km in driving rain in December isn't much more than an exercise in willpower.

In the same way as putting up with the 10Km through driving rain helps with the objectives of a PB in a 10Km trail race in the spring, putting up with a resistance session helps the objective. I guess in terms of priority the resistance training is still less enjoyable than the driving rain.

What makes it worth it, is crossing the finish line, without injury and in line with the race plan.

Of course the original thread title compares lifting with cardio, and I'd agree that doing CV work on a machine in a gym is very dull. Grinding out steady state and watching the numbers is purgatory.