Bored during Cardio?

2

Replies

  • SlvrLyssa
    SlvrLyssa Posts: 41 Member
    I walk outside, but I'm going to look into the HIIT thing too.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    Oh! And a book on tape might help!
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I cover-up the timer on the stairmaster. I also do some conditioning that is more physical to help mix things up.
  • Jessie544
    Jessie544 Posts: 127 Member
    it's not ADD, I used to be the same way! I went to the gym for years doing the same old thing... doing cardio on the bike, treadmill, elliptical, or stepper... and even downloading all the new music I could, I was still bored and just counting down the seconds to get through it.

    At the beginning of the year, my new year's resolution was to start going to classes that are provided for free at my gym, and they have completely changed my way of thinking about cardio! 40 mins of cardio absolutely flies by!! Since starting the classes about 3 months ago, I have also done wonders for my legs/arms in toning them. I haven't seen this kind of definition ftom doing years of the elliptical.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    I go hard enough that it takes all of my concentration!
  • Wellnessbabe
    Wellnessbabe Posts: 16 Member
    I was having similar problems, what has been working for me is i do work out videos on my computer while i'm watching Jerry Springer, Mauray or the Wendy Williams show.... Thrust me if you find something you like to watch on TV it's a great distraction. For me it's drama day time Tv :happy:
  • mbilling
    mbilling Posts: 30 Member
    I avoid the treadmill because it IS boring. But days when I can't run outside, I try to focus on speed intervals....switching it up every couple of minutes makes it seem to go by faster...I still am lucky to eek out 30 min on the TM though. Ugh, just hate it.
    Also, try other types of cardio! Take a class or do a DVD at home!
  • Nerdy_Rose
    Nerdy_Rose Posts: 1,277 Member
    I quit the gym and signed up for hip-hop dance and started rock climbing. Now I can do 3 hours of cardio and not be bored for a second.
  • monocot
    monocot Posts: 475 Member
    I watch Cartoons while I work out while reading Cooking books seeing if there is anything I want to bake. And if one of my friends is available, I Talk to her on the Phone while doing all of those.
  • Kelekat
    Kelekat Posts: 174 Member
    Audible.com on my Ipod. I'm working my way through "The Help" on the eliptical. Makes me not want to stop because I don't want to stop the story.
  • gsager
    gsager Posts: 977 Member
    I know what you mean, I used to catch myself counting??? Don't know what's up with that, but I got as ipad so now I get on the elliptical and read.....Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward.....over and over the men are beyond HOT!!! Now I can do cardio forever, don't want to stop!!
  • big_drake
    big_drake Posts: 78
    If I'm running I'll listen to some music, usually fast, upbeat kind of stuff.

    Anything else I just listen to comdey podcasts, ie Doug Loves Movies, The Nerdist, How Did This Get Made?, Sklarboro Country etc

    Or watch TV if there is something good on like sports or Archer or It's Always Sunny
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    Similar issue on cardio machines, I'm now doing intervals.

    1 min going nuts, 30 secs off, or 1 min go nuts, 1 min go normal. It helps me focus and challenge myself to beat what I did the last time.

    Yup me too. No steady state cardio for me. It is impossible to be bored when you are doing intervals. I just make sure I bring the right playlist to keep my energy level up, and switch songs if the song doesn't fit the interval.

    Sometimes I'll do different intervals, like maintaining a specific RPM for a specific time, or going all out for a specific distance or step count. But they are all variations on the same theme.
  • jessicaj_824
    jessicaj_824 Posts: 114 Member
    Similar issue on cardio machines, I'm now doing intervals.

    1 min going nuts, 30 secs off, or 1 min go nuts, 1 min go normal. It helps me focus and challenge myself to beat what I did the last time.


    THIS is what works for me - that is when I'm not taking one of the fun classes offered at my gym.
  • iluvbodyjam
    iluvbodyjam Posts: 1
    Group exercise classes!!! Great music, group setting for motivation and support , great workout!
  • revjames
    revjames Posts: 75 Member
    I work out in my garage and use a treadmill and a cycle turbo trainer for cardio. I set up a hifi and ipod to start with and later fitted a 26" LCD tv and aerial. I find its too boring to simply run/cycle/walk without another focus.
  • ashisashortone
    ashisashortone Posts: 14 Member
    I watch netflix! But I don't watch movies. I watch TV shows. It makes the workout go faster when I can get through like three episodes of show compared to one movie. It's almost like it helps break up the workout into smaller sections, if that makes any sense at all.:laugh:
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    oh yeah i find that the problem i have when i read or watch TV when i'm working out is that i unintentionally decrease my intensity. i personally find that i have a much better workout when i'm 100% focused on what my body is doing. i want to see results from my workouts, so i want to get the benefits out of each and every workout.

    Me too. Reading or watching TV is an invitation to cheat.

    The only time I do actual steady state cardio is when I am walking somewhere. But then, I really just have a destination in mind, so it doesn't really count since the goal isn't exercise, it is to get where I am going.
  • rbrannock
    rbrannock Posts: 169
    I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every day...its boring but I just tell myself the end result will be worth it. I listen to music and have my treadmill set up in my garage so on nice days I open the garage door and pretend I'm actually outside running. I watch things going on outside and just try not to pay too much attention to the time....like how much is left. I don't feel rigth if I don't use the treadmill so I've learned to love it.
  • DeeJayTJ
    DeeJayTJ Posts: 355 Member
    i listen to some really crazy *kitten* dubstep, it gets me goin.
  • finchest
    finchest Posts: 245 Member
    have you tried doing exercise videos? they keep it entertaining!
    at my gym, they have direct tv at all the equipment, so i usually just watch tv or listen to music, or if it's not too intense, i'll read or play scrabble on my phone!
  • Foodie711711
    Foodie711711 Posts: 137 Member
    The treadmill I use has a tv on it. Put ESPN and im all set!
  • byHISstrength
    byHISstrength Posts: 984 Member
    Try something new....ZUMBA! I don't think I could ever be bored with Zumba. You could also try kickboxing, step classes, spinning...
  • mommymeg2
    mommymeg2 Posts: 145 Member
    I do my cardio at the gym and I too have cardio ADD (ask my husband and he'll say I always have ADD). I do something REALLY stupid but it works for me. When I listen to the music I get interactive with it. I envision that I am the main character in every song. At times I have apple bottom jeans and at times I am cheating in a country song. It seems to make time pass and it's a bit humorous as well ;)
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    I run outside.... which unfortunately hasn't been possible so far this year. I get very bored doing indoor cardio machines too... I either listen to music or read (if I'm doing a bike or elliptical... reading doesn't work on the treadmill, lol)
  • ezramedic
    ezramedic Posts: 119
    I watch movies on my iPad or I read a book. I get bored very quickly, too.
  • Biggipooh
    Biggipooh Posts: 350
    Same with me. I am so bored on the cardo machines (crosstrainer etc. etc.). I started to run or inlineskate outside. There is so much to see outside and you get fresh air. Maybe that is something for you.
  • Redbirdz83
    Redbirdz83 Posts: 153 Member
    I am lucky enough to have newer ellipticals and treadmills at my rec center. I like to switch up listening to my music and catching different tv shows. It really helps me get through an hour. I also set different goals every 10 minutes. GOOD LUCK! GO FOR IT! :)
  • Mmmporkrinds
    Mmmporkrinds Posts: 192
    Yeah Zumba is fantastic, I'm always sad when it's over. I had an uncle who was told he had to do some exercise after having heart trouble. He bought an exercycle but found it boring. So he planned and took a virtual cycling tour of the South Island (I'm in NZ). He mapped it out with contours and everything, and would mark off his progress on a map each day. It took him months but I think he did get there in the end. So that's a weird way of making it interesting, but it worked for him!
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    Crazy Idea have someone drive you 15 to 30 min then walk home
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