Audiobooks while walking

Melmo1988
Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
edited November 13 in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone listen to audiobooks while walking? I just downloaded one for my long walks so I don't get bored. I think it might make me walk more.

Replies

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I do it all the time. In fact it's very motivating to me because I assign certain audiobooks to be "exercise only" and do not allow myself to listen to them unless I'm exercising. I have finished the full Harry Potter series this way, plus a few other books. I absolutely love it.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    All the time!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Walking on a treadmill? Definitely you need something to alleviate the boredom.

    Walking outdoors? Perhaps I'm just lucky to have a wonderful recreational path a few hundred metres from my front door and I'd rather listen to what nature has to offer but I would be hesitant to engage in anything that may interfere with my situational awareness (eg not being able to hear oncoming cyclists, angry geese etc) and the same would apply (perhaps even more importantly) when walking where there may be vehicle traffic.

  • doosalily15
    doosalily15 Posts: 316 Member
    What app do u use
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    Constantly, and while lifting too. Podcasts as well. Almost never music. It's great! I can get through almost any book within a week or two.
  • oh_happy_day
    oh_happy_day Posts: 1,137 Member
    I like to listen to podcasts while I jog or walk. I only use one ear bud so that I'm still aware of the environment around me. I must look like a lunatic sometimes - this evening I was running and giggling while listening to an episode of This American Life.
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    I do it all the time. In fact it's very motivating to me because I assign certain audiobooks to be "exercise only" and do not allow myself to listen to them unless I'm exercising. I have finished the full Harry Potter series this way, plus a few other books. I absolutely love it.

    I walked for 90 minutes this morning while listening to Harry Potter! Lol I'm using an app called Audible

  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Melmo1988 wrote: »
    I do it all the time. In fact it's very motivating to me because I assign certain audiobooks to be "exercise only" and do not allow myself to listen to them unless I'm exercising. I have finished the full Harry Potter series this way, plus a few other books. I absolutely love it.

    I walked for 90 minutes this morning while listening to Harry Potter! Lol I'm using an app called Audible

    I use Audible too! Although I do turn to LibriVox for some classics when I'm done with my 2 Audible audiobooks a month budget. I try to purchase the ones that are at least 10 hours long (Audible lets you filter by hours) to get the most out of it unless I'm interested in something particular that happens to be shorter.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    edited February 2016
    I do podcasts. It's how I got myself through Serial recently -- only a few years behind the rest of the world -- and I also listen to Sawbones and Writing Excuses regularly. I would get so bored listening to music even though I love music, and it was because I'd use music to count the minutes until I was done. ("I've been through three songs, dear god, how much longer is this going to go on?!") but learning something or getting engaged in something makes the exercise a secondary act.

    (That said, I need more podcasts. I'm doing more exercise than there are current episodes, lol.)
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    I downloaded an app for podcasts, but not sure yet if you can listen to them with no internet. When I leave my apartment I my phone loses wifi lol I'm actually surprised my audiobook still worked.
  • Melmo1988
    Melmo1988 Posts: 293 Member
    Walking on a treadmill? Definitely you need something to alleviate the boredom.

    Walking outdoors? Perhaps I'm just lucky to have a wonderful recreational path a few hundred metres from my front door and I'd rather listen to what nature has to offer but I would be hesitant to engage in anything that may interfere with my situational awareness (eg not being able to hear oncoming cyclists, angry geese etc) and the same would apply (perhaps even more importantly) when walking where there may be vehicle traffic.

    That worries me a little too especially where I walk with my daughter in a stroller but I can still hear traffic with the audiobook, and I always pay attention when I'm crossing any streets. I love using the walking Trail but it's a 75 min walk from my apartment lol
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I actually read books when I run on the treadmill. I just use the kindle app on my phone, not the audio stuff. When running outside, I gotta have music.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I like podcasts, too. Now that Serial is lame, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me is probably my favorite.

    I do audio books sometimes, too. We have a digital library so I just check them out, though often I have to renew it several times to get through it, which is kind of annoying, especially if there's a wait and you have to get back in line.

    I did a free trial of Kindle Unlimited and I think that's a great option for Audible fans, especially if they read books on Kindle, too. Many books are free with Kindle Unlimited and then have a small upcharge for the audio version, like a few bucks, iirc. There are 3000+ free audiobooks. I think that they even remain synced across devices, so if you listen on your phone's Kindle app to the audio version during your walk, then pick up the Kindle to read visually later on, it knows your spot. I think Kindle Unlimited is only $10/month.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    Melmo1988 wrote: »
    I downloaded an app for podcasts, but not sure yet if you can listen to them with no internet. When I leave my apartment I my phone loses wifi lol I'm actually surprised my audiobook still worked.

    Depending on the app, you should be able to download the files to your phone to use offline. I use Beyond Pod for Android, and I'll do that sometimes if I know I'm walking in an area with spotty data coverage.
  • gramarye
    gramarye Posts: 586 Member
    I like podcasts, too. Now that Serial is lame, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me is probably my favorite.

    I'll have to look into that one. But serious question: am I the only person in the whole universe who doesn't hate the second season of Serial? XD It doesn't have quite the impetus and mystery of the first season, but I'm still engaged in the story and curious to the circumstances of it. That said, I'm also a military brat, and I feel like this might be a factor, lol.

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    I do! I use either audible or youtube (where they are free).

    Just finished- The Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Winter, and Fairest), and The Throne of Glass Series (Throne of Glass, crown of midnight, heir of fire, and queen of shadows).
  • jaynee7283
    jaynee7283 Posts: 160 Member
    I listen to both music and audiobooks during my walks. I use Audible for books and Amazon Prime Music for music.

    For podcasts, many years ago Ricky Gervais and his business partner Steven Merchant had some hilarious podcasts that would have me crying with laughter. If you are Ricky Gervais fan and haven't heard them, go find them. They are probably about 10 years old now, but still just as funny. But be prepared to constantly laugh out loud while taking your walks.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    First season of Serial people - check out Undisclosed. It continues on from Adnam's story, and if like me you were left with a modicum of doubt as to his innocence, you sure won't be after listening to Undisclosed!!! It's not as well done as Serial, but worth it nonetheless.

    My local library does free audiobook rental.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    I listen to podcasts but audible books would be good also.
  • hanksmom79
    hanksmom79 Posts: 85 Member
    For those of you with a library card (I know it's not as common these days), check out the app "Overdrive". You can check out audiobooks & download them to the app with your library card. It's been amazing for me & keeps me entertained when I'm walking the dog (though I still need music for running).
  • hanksmom79
    hanksmom79 Posts: 85 Member
    girlinahat wrote: »
    First season of Serial people - check out Undisclosed. It continues on from Adnam's story, and if like me you were left with a modicum of doubt as to his innocence, you sure won't be after listening to Undisclosed!!! It's not as well done as Serial, but worth it nonetheless.

    Thanks for the tip. I just found Serial a month or so ago & was OBSESSED with it...not hating the second season but it's not nearly as intriguing for me. I'll be listening to Undisclosed tonight on my walk.
  • doosalily15
    doosalily15 Posts: 316 Member
    I guess my library doesn't participate in overdrive. So I went to next town over & well of course since I don't live there I can't get one lol darn
  • brianlundlarsen
    brianlundlarsen Posts: 49 Member
    I have a subscription to audible and listen while running. Must have gone through +1000 hours of books soon.
  • calicotabby
    calicotabby Posts: 1 Member
    What device is everyone using to listen to audiobooks (I don't have a smartphone).
  • MrsLannister
    MrsLannister Posts: 347 Member
    I listen to either audiobooks or podcasts. I also just finished Serial season 1.
  • Spiderpug
    Spiderpug Posts: 159 Member
    Audible too, or podcast 'No such thing as a fish' although it is difficult to run and laugh so I save this one for walking!
  • MrsLannister
    MrsLannister Posts: 347 Member
    Audible has some original programming included with the subscription and some of its really good. I highly recommend Jon Ronson's The Butterfly Effect.
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