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I HATE THE GYM /CARDIO

I hate cardio at the gym, the treadmill, the elliptical, the bike... SO BORING. I feel like working out at the gym just ends up ruining my diet...if I dragged my butt there and suffered 45 boring minutes on machines I end up justifying eating whatever I want to. I walk everywhere and take the stairs every chance i get. but walking just isnt givng my metabolism the boost it needs... anyone have some other good cardio alternatives that I can sneak into my day...cardio that doesnt FEEL like cardio?


Sun. May 14, 12:10am

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a lot of people enjoy dancing, and there are so many different types! also kickboxing or marital arts let you blow off steam while getting some more activity into your lifestyle. you just have to find something that you like to do. good luck!
btw- i agree about gyms! i need something nice to look at while i work out, cool air on my face. to me gyms are hot, stinky, and BORING. i run outside (but that definitely "feels" like cardio lol)

Sunday, May 14, 2006, 2:14 AM

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I agree: gyms are hot, stinky, and boring. I can't run (because of ankle + foot problems) but I love to simply put on a good pair of walking shoes and sweats and head outside for 30 or 40 minutes of hard, fast walking. Usually, I'm hot and sweaty by the time I get home, so even if I haven't been able to measure exactly what I'm doing or the distance I'm walking, I know I've gotten a really good workout.
HTH.

Sunday, May 14, 2006, 7:02 AM

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I also HATE all those stupid repetitive type machines at the gym, but I LOVE running with my friends outside, could you join a local running club or find someone to run with? My friends and I start talking and before you know it we've ran 8 miles.

Sunday, May 14, 2006, 9:04 AM

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Cardio is definitely not any fun. I try to burn at least 500 calories a day doing cardio and it isn't easy.

I have found that trying to go to the gym when there is something I REALLY want to watch on TV helps alot. I will stay on the elliptical trainer or arc trainer the entire time and forget how awful cardio is while I watch.

Sunday, May 14, 2006, 10:41 AM

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does your gym offer group fitness classes? that made the difference for me! i get bored on the stationary equipment-i end up reading a magazine and just float along, not really challengning myself! But my gym offers a couple of great high intensity cardio classes-stuff that would feel silly if i was doing it alone-but when a bunch of people do it together it feels great! I take Cardio boxing, body step and a few others. I sweat my tail off for an hour and it goes by so quickly!

Sunday, May 14, 2006, 2:14 PM

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Anything you love to do that gets you moving will help you stay in shape and healthy for your lifetime. For me, a solid hour of horseback riding, plus grooming before and after, easily burns 500 calories and it's so much fun!

Monday, May 15, 2006, 9:04 AM

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I wish I could afford to join a gym. I would so love to go and do a workout there than always have to find my own ways to workout at home.

Monday, May 15, 2006, 9:26 AM

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Try something new. When you're focusing on learning new skills, it keeps your mind busy and you'll have more fun.
I don't have a gym either, but I just bought myself a pair of inline skates. It's a nice break from running and it's fun to explore. I also bike.
Play pickup soccer with friends, shoot hoops, jump rope. Remember when you were a kid and just "went out to play?" That's what I call my cardio. There are so many ways to be active and have fun, it's a waste to spend time forcing yourself.

Monday, May 15, 2006, 10:27 AM

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have you treid a cardio class at your gym? I hate boring stable machines for my cardio, I do alot better in a class surroundings

Monday, May 15, 2006, 10:36 AM

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Group fitness classes can be fun if its something you like.

I did Tae Kwon Do lessons before - that is a great workout. You're learning a sport, doing drills, you can even compete.

Or another sport too - softball, soccer etc. Try to maybe find some team sports you could get involved in.

How about a biking or running group - more fun when you have a group of people to do it with, plus you get outside.

A boot camp class - there lots of those popping up, many are outdoors too.

Dance lessons/classes - depending on the style you pick that can be a great workout.

Maybe train for a competition - having a goal can be motivation. Sign up for a triathalon and then work on your swimming, running and biking.

I agree those machines are torture. They are mind numbing! Just look around in your area for other classes or activities that you can get involded in. Something that you think is fun and that you would look forward to.

Monday, May 15, 2006, 1:13 PM

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Have you tried a Spinning Class? If you're lucky enough and have a good instructor that helps visualising the terrain, it' a lot of fun. That experience had also helped to beat the boredom on the cardio machines as well - I just try to visualize myself say running outside, competing on a track etc.

I also like exercising on the machines from which i can see my reflection in the gym mirrors or glass walls etc. A) it helps maintain proper form and B) beats boredom.

And last but not least, don't laugh: time to time watching Rocky or Flashdance really helps - music in head and visualising Rocky running up the stairs of the Museum of Fine arts in Philly and riding her bike across the bridge... This helps me when running outside as too...

Monday, May 15, 2006, 1:37 PM

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you reallly have to program yourself to like cardio. there are lots of things to do that are more fun, but they're not routine-y things. cardio machines can be. now i know that doing the same thing all the time bores your body and that you should change it up, but personally I do 45 minutes a day on my elliptical machine and I use my DVR to record shows that I can watch while using it.. if you can do that, you get to watch your favourite shows while you exercise and it takes the edge off. If you are able to use a machine at home and do this, I recommend it! I do so much more exercise now that I have this system.

I also recommend splurging on a home exercise machine: the mere expense of it will motivate you to use it!! haha. I'm sure that's part of it for me. I'm still going to be paying it off 3 years from now..

Monday, May 15, 2006, 3:37 PM

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I can't, just *can't*, run on a treadmill without my mp3 player blasting my favorite music. Buying an mp3 player was the best investment.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 9:51 AM

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To th Original Poster

I hear you with the rewarding yourself with food. I totally go the gym and then think, wow, now that I did that I should stop at McDonalds on the way home and stuff myself with fries! :) (Well, maybe Im not THAT bad). What I have decided (this week actually) that I am going to try to do is reward myself in other ways...like if I go to the gym 4 times in the week Ill get a mani/pedi or something. Might work for you...

Wednesday, May 17, 2006, 5:39 PM

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i ended up buying a video ipod, i download all my favorite shows and 45 mins flys by. 300 dollars and the shows are free ipodnova.net. i used to have a hard time burning 140 calories a day...now i burn 300-400 daily with ease.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006, 5:07 PM

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in addition to rocky and flashdance, i suggest gi jane. demi is soooo ripped in that movie!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006, 5:41 PM

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Switch it up.

I agree, I can't stand the cardio machines, and I also walk everywhere too. So, what I'm loving now is hiking! Kicks your butt, you get out in beautiful nature, and burn like 450 cal an hour...go for a 2 hour hike, it's easy...2nd- roller skating!! Inline skating, or Ice Skating!! Switch it up, go ice skating once a month for a change of pace, also 450 cal an hour. Pay $8-10 day fee to go to the super fancy gym for something different. Try renting a kayak for 2 hours (if you have a local lake or bay). That's my goal, on my cardio only days I do something outdoors. Just have fun!!

Friday, June 11, 2010, 3:56 PM

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iPods are awesome. I use mine all the time at the gym, and would be lost without it. I have video on it, and can pick up the radio as well and put an audio book on if I want.

Also, I read books when I'm on the bike. swimming is a great cardio workout, and I do that too.

Friday, June 11, 2010, 4:25 PM

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That is why I like working out at home. I've been working out for about a year with my workout dvd's and I've lost about 30 lbs. The gym just doesn't work for me. I don't have time for the kids, I feel like I don't know what I'm doing and I just like to be alone cause it's my "me" time.

If anyone is interested in some workout programs for the home check out http://www.bbcoachjenn.com

It has a few well known fitness DVDs that really work like Slim in 6 and P90X.

You can check out my progress so far.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-UDElwSPOQ

Link

Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 8:35 PM

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I love exercising in air conditioned comfort! Our treadmills (and other pieces of equipment) at my fitness center each have their own TV. I bring a portable DVD player, plug it into the TV, and catch up on movies while I walk my 50 minutes. It definitely keeps my body in good shape. If I didn't have my own TV, I don't think I could stay on the treadmill nearly as long as I should.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 10:46 PM

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