What do you think about while you exercise?

2

Replies

  • mk2fit
    mk2fit Posts: 730 Member
    Running usually clears my head of just about everything. However, I am pretty darn good at thinking of food!
  • Napper6969
    Napper6969 Posts: 1 Member
    edited August 2018
    When I jog I think about how I'll be the only survivor amongst all the fat, lazy, drunken people I know when we're being chased through the woods by a serial killer!
  • SMKing75
    SMKing75 Posts: 84 Member
    If I am at the gym, then its "is this over yet". If I am outside, I am just paying attention to my surroundings, my dog, neighbors, wildlife, etc... and possibly "is this over yet". :sweat_smile:
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    During steady state machine cardio I'm watching TV shows on my iPad. It's almost the only telly I watch any more so it's nice to see some things. Out running or hiking, and sometimes lifting, it's audiobooks and podcasts. I have a lot of things I want to consume and love to multitask :)
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    Well, when I'm walking, I'm often brainstorming for a fanfic I'm writing. When strength-training, I'm mostly keeping track of reps.

    I'm currently training to run my first 5K and I'm noticing that when I do my once-a-week run with the group, I'm fine a half-step behind the leader. But when I do my other two weekly runs on my own time, when it's just me, pacing is an issue. If there's someone ahead of me on the track, something makes me want to speed up and pass them. This is the first time I've attempted any sort of distance running. I used to be a slightly above-average sprinter in elementary school and there's still something in me that wants to go all out right from the start. So I keep telling myself, "This is a run, not a race. This is a distance run, not a sprint. This is about building stamina, not maximum speed. Just do you." Doesn't completely fix the problem, but it's helping.
  • Unknown
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  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Anything and everything under the sun. I try to spend 8 hours a week on the bike, and go to the gym at lunch three days a week. So there's a lot of time to think. How much I'm crushing it today, I love my wheels, this is fun, to stuff that happened in my day, or how I'm going to reverse climate change and win a Nobel Prize.
  • BNY721
    BNY721 Posts: 125 Member
    What number was that...did I do my 3rd set or 4th...what song is this..I don’t remember this being on my playlist..ooo I like this song...damn is that rep #7 or #8...am I about to kick the crap out of this guy that’s walking behind me while I am doing these kickbacks...basically “squirrel” every five seconds..but that’s a normal day for me and yet I still get it done so there’s that.
  • RunnerGrl1982
    RunnerGrl1982 Posts: 412 Member
    Nothing really. Just focused on the next mile in my run and singing along to the music I'm listening to.
  • divcara
    divcara Posts: 357 Member
    The muscle group I'm working.... my breathing.... seeing if i can raise my toes another half inch higher or whatever it is I'm working on... I try as much as possible to focus entirely on my workout and escape from every other thought in my head. Exercise is basically my anxiety-relief/adrenaline burn.... the more I can get my mind to laser focus on my physical workout, the better I usually feel after. I like to push so hard that I really can't hang on to a thought in my head - that actually relaxes me, if that makes sense!
  • nicnz
    nicnz Posts: 159 Member
    Am at the gym 5-6x a week - it varies, if I'm the one instructing the group fitness class it's multitasking ..thinking what's the next move & pushing/motivating the participants. Otherwise it's either "ouch this is hard" or not hell of a lot if I'm participant myself 😉.
  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    "What do you think about while you exercise?" Completing my next rep with good form.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    edited August 2018
    When I do strength I just think about what I'm doing. Focusing on my form and using the right muscles, counting my reps and forgetting what number I'm on. When I run I'm not really sure what I think about. It's interesting being out there alone with my thoughts. Next time I run I'll try to remember what I'm thinking about LOL.
  • Crafty_camper123
    Crafty_camper123 Posts: 1,440 Member
    edited August 2018
    Thoughts In the background- It's making sure my form is okay from what I can tell, and that I am breathing properly.

    The thoughts in the foreground usually consist of my brain going 100 miles an hour to the tune of:
    "OMG I'M OUT OF BREATH!" "Relax, it's not an asthma attack, just keep going!" "WAIT-YES IT IS SLOW DOWN!" *Slows down- wasn't an asthma attack* "OMG THIS MOVE SUUUUCCCKS... F THIS! I CANT DO IT!" "Wait- I did it! & I'M NOT DEAD!!!!" "Hey...I'm not out of breath! OW MY CALF" "Okay 30 More seconds/ One more rep- Then rest!" "Keep going! "Must... Burn.. Off.... Ice cream...."


    If I'm just walking, I don't think about much, other then then trying to keep my dogs from pulling our arms off, and keeping them out of trouble.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Getting through the next rep in the weight room or the next stroke in the pool 🏋🏻‍♀️🏊‍♂️
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    I usually row bow (i.e. I steer) in a double. If I'm not yacking at my double partner (about technique, steering commands or just chit-chat), then I'm thinking about:

    * Not hitting things (I'm facing backwards, remember) like floating branches, large waterfowl, fishing lines coming from the bank, etc.
    * Not being hit by powerboats or other rowers/canoeists/kayakers, and occasionally airborne large waterfowl.
    * My technique: Clean catch, catch then press, get full arms/body out of the release before sliding on recovery, no "training wheels", light hands, clean release, etc. ad infinitum - Generally, "Why does my rowing suck? Stop sucking!"
    * "Where is the bald eagle the other double said was out here?" "Are those the swans up there?" "What are those giant pink flowers in the wildflower planting?" "Why are there so many grabby weeds out here?" "There's a deer/heron!"
    * Looking for the newer rowers that we invite to row with us so we can help them, to make sure they haven't flipped their singles.
    * Whether I have an assured clear line for us to run another power piece.
    * What the stroke count is in the current power piece or rest interval.

    . . . and much more.

    In spin class, I'm mostly thinking "Go harder, *baby-feline* it!" I ride with my eyes closed, because I can.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    I recently moved to a small town in a new state where I'm renting until I decide if I want to buy a home here. I walk 5-6 miles a day, along streets through neighbor hoods that are new to me, talk to people and try to get a feel for the town. I notice what plants grow well, what type of birds are here and have seen several bugs I've never seen before. So far, I like this town alot!
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    When I’m benching, I’m analyzing the video of my last set. Everything else, reminding myself that podium spots aren’t earned by taking it easy.
  • CNG24
    CNG24 Posts: 432 Member
    Inappropriate things...seriously...or I think about stories and books. Strange one, I am!
  • DebTavares
    DebTavares Posts: 87 Member
    I think about pushing myself harder and how great I will feel after my shower.
  • s1im62
    s1im62 Posts: 31,566 Member
    My workouts lately have consisted mainly of mulching flower beds, and mowing tall grass. So I mostly think of watching out for snakes.
  • Sugoiharris
    Sugoiharris Posts: 59 Member
    I try not to think about anything while I'm working out. I focus better and workout harder when I just completely clear my head and focus on the task at hand.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I generally think about whatever is on my tv. Lately, I use the cardio machines during plays/replays of baseball games.
  • MagnumOpus1
    MagnumOpus1 Posts: 161 Member
    Good question. I guess I'm just focused on my workout and visualize myself completing the set ahead of me. When I'm resting I may briefly scope the gym for some eye candy or just banter with my training pals.
  • PennyP312
    PennyP312 Posts: 161 Member
    Such an interesting question!
    During heavy compounds I’m telling myself how light the weight is, how I have moved it before and I can do it again.
    During accessories (which I find so boring!) I just count reps and really try and focus on the muscle.
    Cardio, who knows! I’ll have to pay more attention next time.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    "I shouldn't be breathing in this smoke."
  • gillmand2017
    gillmand2017 Posts: 4 Member
    Doing weights it's all about the form and during rest it's all about telling myself the next set is easy because I've just lifted that weight before. The best thought is on the final rep of the final set when I think, yeah I was right this was easy, can't weight until next time.
  • Zoejohnse91
    Zoejohnse91 Posts: 227 Member
    If I'm lifting I'm counting reps and watching form so no real thoughts but if I'm doing cardio it's usually 'god when will this end?!' :D
    I usually listen to a podcast called The Infinite Monkey Cage which is a brilliant fun science discussion panel. I agree with a previous post - workout music is terrible! I really dislike the dance tracks that are associated with the gym. I actually downloaded a classical workout album and a rock one B)
  • VUA21
    VUA21 Posts: 2,072 Member
    How far do I have to run for that slice of cheesecake in the fridge. Tom Hardy has a nice body. Should I run around the water sprinkler or through it? Too late, ahhh that felt good. Would it be weirder to have two bellybuttons or no bellybutton? If a man and a women get together and both have gender reassignment surgery, is it a same-sex relationship? A different sex relationship? Or both? Why do we see faces in clouds? That new burger place looks good. Hey, a cat!...

    Yeah I'm full on "SQUIRREL!!!" mode.
  • Tisha247
    Tisha247 Posts: 849 Member
    Pace and rhythm and that's it
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