FitSugar

10 Ways to Pass the Time on Cardio Machines

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:52:00 -0700

If you can't get outside for a run or bike ride, using a cardio machine is a wonderful alternative. Since the weather is always perfect indoors, you never have an excuse not to work out. It can be agonizingly boring though, so here are some suggestions from FitSugar readers to help beat the boredom and make your cardio machine time more enjoyable.

Kimpossible and laellavita suggest doing interval training. Switch between moderate running and sprinting to keep your mind busy. This is also my favorite way to work out on a cardio machine.
You can also do intervals with the incline, as suggested by syako. Pump up the incline for a few minutes, then lower it for a few minutes.
FitSugar reader tangentlines suggests reading big novels to pass the time, but if you don't like flipping pages, shiningeyes suggests listening to audiobooks.

To hear the other great ideas, read more.

Listen to music on iPods or MP3 players. If you like more of a mix, there's a Pandora application on the iPhone that kyui707 recommends. It creates a music station for you based on music you like, and since you never know what's coming next, it's a great way to get you moving.
If you're bored with music, KMattes recommends listening to podcasts. You can download them from iTunes on just about any topic from wedding planning to cooking to fitness.
If you like watching TV, littlekaren suggests hitting the gym during times when your favorite shows are on. If you have a machine at home, kris0bot says to DVR TV shows and save them for when you exercise.
If there's a shelf on your machine, kakyke recommends watching TV episodes, like Grey's Anatomy or Lost, online on your laptop. Or you can watch movies.
If you're working hard and really pushing yourself, misskacie says it doesn't allow her the comfort to get bored. So pump up the intensity level.
Work out with a friend - mek123 says talking makes the time go by quickly.
Many readers such as darc5204 recommend daydreaming or deep thinking while on a cardio machine. You can distract yourself by working through a problem or making plans.

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Your Top 10 Ways to Exercise

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:50:00 -0700

A few weeks ago I asked you guys to tell me what your favorite ways to exercise are, and you all gave me some great responses - I'm even motivated to do a little more dancing and dust off the old Rollerblades.

After tallying up all the votes, I've narrowed down the most popular activities. So for the most desirable ways to exercise, just read more.

Here are your top ways to get moving:

Running tied with swimming
Walking tied with yoga
Dancing
Weightlifting
Hiking
Pilates tied with biking
Elliptical tied with kickboxing
Inline skating tied with Wii Fit
Tennis tied with rock climbing
Golf

Agree with the top 10? Does your favorite fall on the list? Share your thoughts below.

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Beat Treadmill Boredom: Compete With Yourself

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:45:00 -0700

A lot of people tell me that they just cannot run on the treadmill because it's just too dang boring - plain old running at 6.0 mph for 40 minutes. To that I say, no kidding. I couldn't agree more.

This is why you need to try and beat the boredom by switching it up. My current favorite way to keep motivated is by competing with myself on the days when I feel like I could not possibly run over ten minutes on the treadmill.

I'll tell myself in the beginning, "OK, I'm going to run for 20 minutes." When 20 minutes comes along, I say, "OK, I bet you can't go five more minutes." When just five more minutes passes, I say, "You are going to be so proud of yourself if you go just five more minutes." Then I'll say, "OK, run as fast as you can for five more minutes and you'll feel amazing."

Breaking it up mentally really helps me make it through and I am always proud of myself for making it way past 20 minutes. So find ways to compete with yourself. If you have any suggestions for everyone, share the ways you compete with yourself in the comments section below.

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Beat the Boredom: Running Book Club

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

I know the title of this post seems odd so I am just going to start by clarifying that no, I do not think you should start a running group where you read as you run. For many reasons, this is not a good idea.

However, a great idea to beat boredom while working out is to get a book club together where after you all read the book, you bring the discussion outside during a group jog or walk. This way you'll all be getting exercise, you'll still get to talk about the book you've read and you'll be able to use the talk test to make sure you're working out at a good pace.

Time will fly by and since they say we're more creative when we exercise, you may surprise yourself with your own participation during the discussion.

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Boredom Buster: Reverse Your Run

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 02:30:00 -0700

If you always run (or walk) the same route every time you run, next time, run your route in reverse.

No, I am not telling you to run backwards, but just run in the opposite direction. For example, say you always run from your house to the park, around the pond and down the big hill back to your house; this time run up the big hill from your house, around the pond, through the park and back to your house. Make sense? You'll be totally amazed at how different the run is, especially if your run usually consists of going downhill, an uphill run will really rev up your workout. Your muscles and brain will welcome the change.

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Add Variety: Change Your Routine

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:45:00 -0700

A lot of us have a routine when we exercise. Routines are great because they enable us to have a plan and execute it without too much thinking involved. The downside to routines is that they can get a little, well routine.

To avoid boredom in your exercise routine, think about doing the same exercises, but changing the order in which you do them. Not only will you avoid boredom but going about your routine in a different order will stimulate a different pattern of motor unit recruitment.

For example-
If your typical workout consists of: Warm up for five minutes on treadmill, elliptical for 30 minutes, leg press, lunges, squats and then calf raises.
Then next time try this: Warm up on the stair master for five minutes, leg presses, squats, lunges, calf raises and then hit the elliptical for 30 minutes.

Pros and Cons of the Elliptical

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:50:09 -0700

Since running is one of my favorite forms of cardio, I'm a big fan of the treadmill when I can't get outside for a run. I'm also big into the elliptical, and by the looks of my gym, it appears tons of other people are too. While it's a popular piece of gym equipment for so many reasons, there are also some disadvantages to using one. Check out the chart below to see if an elliptical is the right machine for you.

Pros	Cons
The circular motion and the fact that you're not pounding your feet down with each step is easier on your knees than running outside on concrete or on a treadmill. The platforms for your feet are always free of rocks, trash, dog poo, and ice, so you can count on where you're stepping to be safe and clean.	Although using an elliptical is less impact on your joints, it also requires less effort, so people complain that it's too easy. Since your feet need to stay on those little platforms, you feel like you have less control over your movements, and it's less natural for someone who's used to running.

To see the rest of the pros and cons, read more.

Pros

Cons

You control the pace by moving your legs slower or faster.
By increasing the resistance of the foot pedals you can make your workout more challenging for your legs and booty. You can also pedal backward to focus on working your backside.
You can also get an arm and upper back workout by adjusting the tension of the handles.
Since you're inside, you can watch TV to beat boredom.
The readout keeps track of your workout data including time, speed, distance, and calories burned, so you can monitor your progress.
Whether it's a torrential downpour outside or it's nighttime, you can always get in your workout.
It's a safe way to burn calories if you're afraid to exercise outside in your neighborhood.

Since you're in control of how fast your legs are moving, it's easier to slack off as compared to using a treadmill, which keeps the same pace.
Since they're a one-size-fits-all kind of machine, someone who's got a naturally shorter stride may end up hyper-extending their knees, which could lead to injury.
If you don't belong to a gym, ellipticals aren't cheap and you'll end up spending around $2,000 for a good one.
Just like any other piece of cardio equipment, the repetition of doing the same thing over again can be so boring that you cut your workout short.
The readout on the machine may not be accurate.
Ellipticals require electricity, so they're not exactly the greenest type of exercise. Plus, if there's a power outage, you can't work out.

Source: Flickr User Jill Clardy

Class Act: Cardio Theater

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:47:52 -0700

One way I beat boredom while doing cardio inside is to watch movies. I'll start one and watch about 30 minutes or more, and then the next time I work out, I'm excited to continue where I left off in the flick. I'm lucky to have a machine at home I can walk or run on, but if you don't, check out Cardio Theater. Fitworks health clubs offer a huge room with cardio machines in front of a 15-foot theater screen, so you feel like you're at the local cinema, not at the gym. You can watch movies, TV shows, or sports games, and it makes the time go by so fast. Cardio Theater is included in the price of the membership at their Cincinnati, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton, Ohio, and Northern Kentucky area clubs. If you don't live in these areas, I'm sure it'll be just a matter of time before other fitness clubs catch on. Tell me, would you want a Cardio Theater at your gym?

6 Ways to Beat Treadmill Boredom

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:40:01 -0800

Most of us covered in cold and snow are forced to move our runs inside. If you don't have access to an indoor track, then a treadmill is the next best thing. While I'm grateful that this machine allows me to keep up with my runs, the repetition of staying in one spot can be beyond boring. Here are some things to help make your treadmill time more enjoyable.

Entertain yourself with a book on tape. You can download one to your iPod or MP3 player and it will make 30 minutes just fly by.
Watch a movie. If you have a treadmill at home, watch rented movies from Netflix on your own TV. If not, you can buy a sturdy plastic rack that fits over the front of the machine. Then place your portable DVD player or laptop on it. Movies are a great way to pass the time if you're working on longer distances, because there are no boring commercials.

To see the other four ideas, read more.

Do interval training. Watching the clock so you can alternative between a few minutes of jogging and a few minutes of sprinting will definitely keep your mind and muscles busy. Here's a treadmill interval workout for you to try.
Have at least 10 playlists on your iPod so every time you hop on the treadmill, new tunes will inspire you to move. Or you can swap iPods with a fitness buddy.
Run next to a friend so you can chat and push each other to keep going.
Use the treadmill differently. If you're used to jogging, put the incline all the way up and walk instead. Or try walking backward, sideways, or walking lunges. Not only will it be more exciting, but you'll use different muscles, too.

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Fit Tip: Beat Boredom with New Routes

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Here we are not yet into Summer and many of us are already getting bored with our workout routines. Feeling bored after doing something more than once or twice is totally normal. Why do you think I use a different cardio machine every time I go to the gym? Doing the same cardio over and over again would bore me to tears. The same thing goes for my outdoor workouts too.

If you're starting to feel bored in your outdoor workouts then try something as simple as changing up the route you take. Whether you're on bike or on foot, a new route may provide enough variety to keep you motivated for a few weeks. When you get bored with your new route, time to switch it up again! There is no rule that says you have to do the same thing everyday, so don't.

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