Bored at the gym

Hi all,

I've been excersizing 3 X's a week at my work gym, although the machines are very limited and I'm getting really bored and starting going fewer times. I have a yoga tape, which is low impact and interesting to follow, but I'm fearful I'll stop excersizing. At the gym, I use the bike, eliptical, and treadmill. I usually walk 1-2 miles daily, but am looking for other activities which will keep my attention. Any ideas?

Sun. Nov 18, 6:50am

I hear ya! What else do you have to use at the gym? Are there free weights? In addition to your basic moves, there are lots of compound exercises that you can do that will shake things up a bit - get an Abs Diet book for a ton of moves or subscribe to a fitness magazine and try one of their workouts each month for variety's sake. And, if you move quickly between exercises you can get your cardio in without stepping on one of those mind-numbing (IMO) machines!!

Are you able to take a yoga class? With a good instructor it's much more interesting than a tape. How about a new walking route? Or trying to beat your time on your walks?

If you're primarily doing cardio switching to strength training will be great for you and help with the boredom. Good luck and keep exercising!

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 9:31 AM

There's no doubt that the energy of a class keeps you going. But in case that's not an option for you, have you taken the time to get some pumping music set up on an mp3 player? Have you bought yourself any new outfits to wear to the gym? I'm with 9:31, weights are wonderful. If there are no free weights there, try talking your employer into adding them. They're relatively cheap.

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 11:05 AM

I go to a terrific gym, tons of equipment and a great variety, but I too get bored. I always bring my ipod and either listen to music or audio books. This helps curb the boredom, I can kind of zone out and still get a good workout. It's good for both mind and body I suppose.

Another helpful thing is to bring a book if you are on a machine that allows you to read, meaning you'll have the hands/balance. I do this a lot and can usually finish 1 book a week or 2 weeks.

Keep in mind though that you do need to pay some attention to your workout :)

As for other excercises since you are limited in machines, try to old fashioned stand bys, they are my favorite! Lunges and squats, push ups and dips (you can do dips on the floor, limited range of motion, but works), also abs - throw in some crunches and really concentrate on your form and breathing.

Good luck and don't give up!!!

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 2:48 PM

OMG the Fit to strip by Carmen Electra is amazing! You will be sore!

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 3:43 PM

music usually helps me..especially when i run on a track...the worst is running a couple of miles on a 200 meter track and going around and around and around in circles lol. i try to make the music either really upbeat and fun or something with deep lyrics that make me listen.

also, the gym i go to offers a swimming pool, which i use to cross train. i'll walk into the gym and just be like..today i feel like "_____" and go do that for an hour or so (run, lift weights, swim, mix mix).

also, does your gym offer any "extra" activities? at the Y they offer dance classes, karate classes, etc etc that you can take once (pay a little money for) or even buy a few lessons and try that once a week for a month.

see if any place nearby offers beginner's dance courses or karate courses. hip hop is usually really fun and calorie burning! that way you have that change once-twice a week

good luck! and good job on catching this possible weakness that could lead to a stop in excersising and catching it early!!!

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 4:04 PM

oh and i forgot!!!

find something that really interests you and get an audio version of it!

i'm 17 and for me it's learning languages and reading books. i want to read every book and learn as many languages as i can before my mind gets past the "elastic" learning stage (lol don't laugh). so i'm currently teaching myself french by listening to an auditory teaching CD on my iPod. :]

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 4:08 PM

I had this problem too and started looking for adventurous and challenging classes instead of the gym. I started out with turbo-jam, which I still do and enjoy. I also tried acro yoga (terrifying) and cardio-strip fit, which was a little cheesy for my taste.
My favorites have been adult circus classes and acrobatic pole dancing. Try something new and creative that challenges you! You will feel immensely proud of yourself for trying it, even if it takes awhile to find a fun fitness fit.

Link

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 5:11 PM

I'm trying some of the fitness classes on my cable channel, to mix it up, as well as some group classes at the gym. I was doing only eliptical for 6 weeks, and am sick of it. I tried a cardio kickboxing class today.

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 6:07 PM

thanx you guys! I don't really do weights, although there is one machine where you can do all different weight combos. I tend to watch tv while working out, but most everybody watches news, and I think that adds to the dullness. Sometimes I can watch my silly shows, where there aren't that many people around. I'll give a try to listening to music. Stupid tv has tended to capture my attention. I'll start looking around my neighborhood for classes.

Sunday, November 18, 2007, 7:55 PM

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