bored with high reps
demoiselle2014
Posts: 474 Member
I've been doing an ab challenge from Blogilates this month. Because I had done the beginner calendar, I found the schedule way too easy at the beginning, so I decided to do three sets of every day's exercises. And eleven days in, I'm bored stiff with all the repetition.
I know that doing 30 roll ups, leg lifts, ankle reaches, etc, isn't even that many. Perhaps I'm too impatient. The gains in my core strength have been noticeable, so the "challenge" is working on something other than my patience.
While I suppose I could stop doing three sets of each exercise, I know I wouldn't be challenged enough. So, how can I make doing a high number of reps more interesting, or adjust the exercises so they will be more effective with fewer reps?
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
I know that doing 30 roll ups, leg lifts, ankle reaches, etc, isn't even that many. Perhaps I'm too impatient. The gains in my core strength have been noticeable, so the "challenge" is working on something other than my patience.
While I suppose I could stop doing three sets of each exercise, I know I wouldn't be challenged enough. So, how can I make doing a high number of reps more interesting, or adjust the exercises so they will be more effective with fewer reps?
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
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Replies
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Get on a better program.
Try lowering the reps while slowly increasing the weight and sets.
Loose Example:- 30 Lat Pull Downs at 60 pounds (1 set)
- 25 Lat Pull Downs at 70 pounds (1 set)
- 20 Lat Pull Downs at 80 pounds (1 set)
- 15 Lat Pull Downs at 90 pounds (2 sets)
- 10 Lat Pull Downs at 100 pounds (2 sets)
- 7 Lat Pull Downs at 110 pounds (3 sets)
There is a progression there, which will lead to the development of new muscle if eating at a caloric surplus with adequate protein.0 -
Get on a better program.
Try lowering the reps while slowly increasing the weight and sets.
Example:- 30 Lat Pull Downs at 60 pounds (1 set)
- 25 Lat Pull Downs at 70 pounds (1 set)
- 20 Lat Pull Downs at 80 pounds (1 set)
- 15 Lat Pull Downs at 90 pounds (2 sets)
- 10 Lat Pull Downs at 100 pounds (2 sets)
- 7 Lat Pull Downs at 110 pounds (3 sets)
There is a progression there, which will lead to the development of new muscle if eating at a caloric surplus with adequate protein.
+1
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demoiselle2014 wrote: »I've been doing an ab challenge from Blogilates this month. Because I had done the beginner calendar, I found the schedule way too easy at the beginning, so I decided to do three sets of every day's exercises. And eleven days in, I'm bored stiff with all the repetition.
I know that doing 30 roll ups, leg lifts, ankle reaches, etc, isn't even that many. Perhaps I'm too impatient. The gains in my core strength have been noticeable, so the "challenge" is working on something other than my patience.
While I suppose I could stop doing three sets of each exercise, I know I wouldn't be challenged enough. So, how can I make doing a high number of reps more interesting, or adjust the exercises so they will be more effective with fewer reps?
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
Why not add resistance and do less reps?0 -
I definitely do need a better program. I had assumed that 30 days is a short amount of time, and that this calendar would give me some improvements in a digestible form. I didn't anticipate how boring it would be, especially since I didn't realize it would be so comparatively easy. Not that my abs are amazingly strong yet.0
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demoiselle2014 wrote: »I've been doing an ab challenge from Blogilates this month. Because I had done the beginner calendar, I found the schedule way too easy at the beginning, so I decided to do three sets of every day's exercises. And eleven days in, I'm bored stiff with all the repetition.
I know that doing 30 roll ups, leg lifts, ankle reaches, etc, isn't even that many. Perhaps I'm too impatient. The gains in my core strength have been noticeable, so the "challenge" is working on something other than my patience.
While I suppose I could stop doing three sets of each exercise, I know I wouldn't be challenged enough. So, how can I make doing a high number of reps more interesting, or adjust the exercises so they will be more effective with fewer reps?
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
Why not add resistance and do less reps?
That's a good idea. However, I don't have ankle weights or an incline bench of any kind at home. I guess I'd have to do some research to find how I can increase resistance.
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Are the leg lifts side lying abductions? If so, you can use a resistance band for those.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3v512ODfQM 0 -
Are the leg lifts side lying abductions? If so, you can use a resistance band for those.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3v512ODfQM
They are pilates style double leg lifts (done on the back).
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Whatever you do, don't sing
But you could try things recommended here
http://www.niashanks.com/variety-bodyweight-exercises/
http://www.niashanks.com/bodyweight-ladder-workout/
http://www.niashanks.com/alter-exercises/ <-- that's the money maker there, imo0 -
Thank you!0
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By working out in the living room with some entertainment on the TV.
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No worries
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demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
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demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
I'm sure you're right. It's a shame, in a way, because those short challenges seem like they ought to be a good introduction or way into exercising for those who have not been doing it. But tedium is not conducive to continuing to exercise.0 -
Im in love with my ab workout and it's the only thing I do that has crazy high reps but I switch it up so I don't get bored. I have 17 variations that I stole from workout videos over the past few years and my ex's pt (army.) it's pretty intense but I only do 20 of each variation so I don't get the chance to get bored and it smokes my whole core. also (idk I might be weird) when I do weighed squats I always feel it in my abs. I'm definitely not an expert, just sharing what works for me! if your bored try throwing in variations that target different areas :-)0
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demoiselle2014 wrote: »demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
I'm sure you're right. It's a shame, in a way, because those short challenges seem like they ought to be a good introduction or way into exercising for those who have not been doing it. But tedium is not conducive to continuing to exercise.
I just looked at your link. It seems like a basic program that could be helpful for somebody totally out of shape to do a few times a week for a couple of weeks in order to really ease into exercise. But every day for a month would certainly be boring and tedious.
Have you ever tried a live pilates class? It seems like that would give you more of a challenge. Even if you didn't want to do a class long term it would help you build a knowledge/skill base that you could use at home.0 -
Well, another way of hooking into what you're doing is attending to form like it's your job. It's something I'm having to do in my workouts, and I think it might be beneficial to you. (I remember another thread of yours where you talked a bit about your historical relationship with exercise.)
Doing a slow, intentional bodyweight squat (even a partial squat) with your full concentration on proprioception and mechanics is a different experience from banging out rep after rep. Do it in front of mirrors ( a big one in front of you, and another to the side). Watch yourself as you perform the movements, and ask yourself, at every moment of every rep, "how is my weight shifting ? Which muscles am I activating? Is my core engaged? What are my knees, shoulders, chest, doing? How is my alignment, is anything out of balance? Does this feel right?"
And if you see/feel you're off, refer to good instructions to correct yourself.
It takes a lot of focus to do this for every movement over 30-60 minutes. I can't do it like that every time, but I try to be as mindful as possible. (I do often still need additional motivation to get through it. because yeah honestly, it is boring as ... it's really boring.)0 -
demoiselle2014 wrote: »demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
I'm sure you're right. It's a shame, in a way, because those short challenges seem like they ought to be a good introduction or way into exercising for those who have not been doing it. But tedium is not conducive to continuing to exercise.
I just looked at your link. It seems like a basic program that could be helpful for somebody totally out of shape to do a few times a week for a couple of weeks in order to really ease into exercise. But every day for a month would certainly be boring and tedious.
Have you ever tried a live pilates class? It seems like that would give you more of a challenge. Even if you didn't want to do a class long term it would help you build a knowledge/skill base that you could use at home.
Yes, I've done live pilates classes before, though it's been a couple years. Right now, my budget doesn't allow me to sign up for any exercise classes (the exercise budget goes towards hubby and I dancing), so I'm looking for at-home routines. I'd be glad to find a good pilates program to do at home.0 -
demoiselle2014 wrote: »demoiselle2014 wrote: »demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
I'm sure you're right. It's a shame, in a way, because those short challenges seem like they ought to be a good introduction or way into exercising for those who have not been doing it. But tedium is not conducive to continuing to exercise.
I just looked at your link. It seems like a basic program that could be helpful for somebody totally out of shape to do a few times a week for a couple of weeks in order to really ease into exercise. But every day for a month would certainly be boring and tedious.
Have you ever tried a live pilates class? It seems like that would give you more of a challenge. Even if you didn't want to do a class long term it would help you build a knowledge/skill base that you could use at home.
Yes, I've done live pilates classes before, though it's been a couple years. Right now, my budget doesn't allow me to sign up for any exercise classes (the exercise budget goes towards hubby and I dancing), so I'm looking for at-home routines. I'd be glad to find a good pilates program to do at home.
Many many many years ago, I bought a Winsor pilates DVD. It was a 20 minute routine that I could do without any prior pilates experience. I go back and use it ever now and then now, just as a nice easy stretching type thing to do. I know that video is on YouTube (I think I just looked under "winsor pilates 20" and found it) and some of her other videos might be up there too.0 -
demoiselle2014 wrote: »
How do you overcome the boredom of repetitive exercises?
You don't. Because that's the problem with all of those Pinterest type challenge workouts. Why would I want to do 100 air squats in a day? Find a real, full body, resistance training program with progressions.
This exactly. In my opinion, Pinterest shouldn't be the first source for workout plans. A lot of "information" on Pinterest is VERY misinformed.0 -
I didn't get it from Pinterest.0
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