Ways to make working out fun?

[DanielBrown]

What I do is play music I like, watch TV and make different exercises(usually two ways to train the same muscle group). With an exercise bike in front of the TV/computer screen it's easy to lose track of time.

After a while, when you get used to the schedule, it becomes quite addictive. At least it did to me.
As my mate Arnold says:

 

[GonzoGamer]

Martial arts classes are what got me in great shape and it's not boring like the gym. Sounds like you might like that OP.

WWhen working out at home I usually watch DBZ but I'm never sure if I'm watching it to make my workout more tolerable or working out to make DBZ more tolerable.

 

[TheMyffic]

It's called repetitive exercise and can get really boring, even for people who love exercising.

You can mix things up by adding music, people(social), changing the environment (run outside) etc., but honestly, the best advice I can give you is to find something that is FUN. Something where you're focused on some goal (hitting the ball, passing the line, catching the wave) instead of exercising. Initially, your lack of fitness might keep reminding you that you're exercising, but eventually it'll be about enjoying yourself and only realizing afterward how much you've done.

Also, the social aspect can be a great motivator - people to meet/talk with or friends who'll call you up to participate.

 

[Duck Sandwich]

As a lot of people have said, sports, especially kickboxing, is awesome. If you're doing cardio, vary the intensity by doing interval training. When I was just starting to get in shape, I came across a method of cardio called high intensity interval training (HIIT). Basically, you jog for 5 minutes or so to warm up, then you alternate between jogging for 30 seconds, and sprinting for 30 seconds. Preferably while listening to this:

 

[Drake the Dragonheart]

I work out everyday. Today I ran. Tomorrow will be weights. I alternate like this every day. I will give you what has worked for me. I always work out to my favorite music. My favorite soundtracks, some of which include bloodsport, last samurai, and pacific rim, really have an effect. Have your goal in mind at all times. I am trying to get stronger,faster, better to be military/firefighting/law enforcemnt/EMS. Not going to work for everyone, but I have found if I do a workout right after something that has really pissed me off, it drives me further, I blaze through my sets, I have extra reserves of energy, etc. I don't know if my advice will actually help you since I am something of a gym rat, but take it for what it is.

Find lifts and exercises you enjoy doing. change things up often. Variety is an excellent way to fight boredom. Find a martial art you like and do that. The best martial art is the one you will enjoy doing the rest of your life.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

I'm afraid cardio is irreparably boring as you describe. In fact carrying a sword and shield is further towards making the most of it than I've ever gotten. I recommend where convenient, cycling to work or wherever. That way it's actually serving a purpose, and you don't have to take as much time out of your life because you're using the travel time you'd have taken anyway.

 

[Tiger King]

The best way I found to make exercise interesting is to do it while playing a sport.
I play 5 a side indoor football with some friends and the time just flys! Before you know it it's been two hours and it's time to go home for a wash and a rest.

 

[Caiphus]

The best way I found to make exercise interesting is to do it while playing a sport.
I play 5 a side indoor football with some friends and the time just flys! Before you know it it's been two hours and it's time to go home for a wash and a rest.

I'm with this guy. Play ultimate frisbee, football, touch rugby. All you need is some grass, and the relevant ball/disc. And if you don't know what sport to play, you can just get mates together and go running laps at a park or something.

Alternatively, if your mates live fucking ages away like mine, exercise bike + tablet + headphones. Get on youtube and watch stand up comedy, or put some TV shows or mobile games on there. Keep checking your pulse to make sure you aren't slacking off.

 

[Drizzitdude]

The best way I found to make exercise interesting is to do it while playing a sport.
I play 5 a side indoor football with some friends and the time just flys! Before you know it it's been two hours and it's time to go home for a wash and a rest.

See the problems with all of the outdoor exercise if that I live in Iowa. Half the year its frozen here and we literally just had like blizzard weather a few hours ago.

 

[Caiphus]

See the problems with all of the outdoor exercise if that I live in Iowa. Half the year its frozen here and we literally just had like blizzard weather a few hours ago.

Hmmm. You could try indoor sports. I'm not a fan of basketball, but clearly plenty of people do enjoy it. Otherwise, badminton, squash or indoor football, like carlsberg suggested, are all good exercise.

But yeah, sucks if the weather in your area is shit. That does constrain your options quite a bit.

 

[mistahzig1]

I'm known as the dude who reads books at my gym.

I read between sets or when I do cardio. Sometimes I play games on my phone too (I'm addicted to the Ascension deck building game). Passes the time.

When on machines, the trick is to hold your book with your hands otherwise you'll start a headache and/or lose interest in reading because of the constant moving.

I've been training for 18 years now and to tell you the truth, I HATE training. Gotta have my book otherwaise I'd have quit a loooong time ago

 

[Raikas]

It's impossible. Sorry to be a negative nelly, but there's just no way to enjoy that kind of thing. It's like going to work -- accept that it won't be fun.

Eh, maybe (depending on your personallity)it's impossible to make getting nowhere on a treadmill or just throwing weights around fun, but exercise in general? Seriously?


I'd ask the OP - what sports do you like? Go play them! What did you like when you were a kid? If you liked running around, go join a running club. If you liking climbing things, go join a climbing gym. If you liked fighting, join a fighting gym or take a martial arts class at a club that has open sessions in addition to the weekly classes.

Exercise should be fun - if you're miserable, you're doing it wrong.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

It is similar to sleeping, or berserking
I wish i had a 25M computer screen cord so i could watch something while i ride the stair... handle... thing in our basement
When it gets warmer i can at least go out and jog in the snow, very good excersise
Agressive music does help

 

[ashleymore]

I have recently been trying to lose weight and improve my physique, however I find one massive problem with working out. It isn't getting tired and it isn't being lazy or anything but the problem I have is one of sheer overwhelming boredom. I cannot find many ways to make working out enjoyable in the least and the problem with that is I can only do an exercise for 25 minutes or so before thinking I could be doing something more interesting and finishing. So far I have discovered one thing that makes running on my treadmill interesting (and your going to think I am a total nerd but seeing as this is escapist thats fine)and that was grabbing my shield and sword off my wall and pretending I was running at a horde or Uruk-Hai alongside the soldiers of gondor. That worked for like an hour, but I can't just get into shape by only running and I am sure the uruk-hai thing won't work forever. Suggestions?

Well, that is pretty weird but yet it's funny. I liked that thinking, quite innovative ha ha :-D taking the shield and the sword, amazing!!!
Drizz it's good to see that you're making an effort to lose weight. Just keep on doing this, it will definitely get paid off. Eat healthy food, lots of salad, drink lots of water especially after working out. have you thought of any other equipment's apart from treadmill like stationary bike, elliptical etc. That might help you.

 

[ashleymore]

If you have your own treadmill, can't you watch TV/a movie while you use it? I do that when I'm working out at home, either on my exercise bike or doing strength training. Plus the length of a tv program (say 45 minutes to an hour) is a decent length for a workout.

That is a nice idea indeed and you could also like talk on the phone using handsfree. This will certainly increase your daily limit of working out.

 

[ashleymore]

It's called repetitive exercise and can get really boring, even for people who love exercising.

You can mix things up by adding music, people(social), changing the environment (run outside) etc., but honestly, the best advice I can give you is to find something that is FUN. Something where you're focused on some goal (hitting the ball, passing the line, catching the wave) instead of exercising. Initially, your lack of fitness might keep reminding you that you're exercising, but eventually it'll be about enjoying yourself and only realizing afterward how much you've done.

Also, the social aspect can be a great motivator - people to meet/talk with or friends who'll call you up to participate.

Getting along with friends & working out together is the best way to make exercising a fun activity. Repetitive exercise is boring especially weights I believe. Get on the spinning [http://spinning.com/en/] bike, play loud music, set your goals and definitely you'll see results while enjoying. I always try to create a recreational enviornmental while I am working out.

 

[Eeeee0000]

Try to find a sport that is like a hobby. If you think running and cycling and stuff are boring, why not try something else? I do climbing, which is a lot of fun. You could try a team sport if that's your thing. You could do martial arts classes, swordfighting classes even exist in some cities if that's your thing. Or maybe you like swimming. Or go running or cycling outside so you see interesting things, or run towards someplace that you want to go or need to be, so you don't give up halfway.

 

[TheRookie8]

I blast rock music and epic game soundtracks and attempt to vocalize them as I lift/run. Obviously, this is not an option for public gyms, but at home workouts. Just remember: Do this in moderation, otherwise you could lose your breath. Actually, I've found that it prevents me from holding my breath when doing strenuous exercise.

Aside from that: Dance Dance Revolution for cardio.

See Monty Oum DDR -> Youtube. Quite fun.

 

[ashleymore]

Martial arts will also be of great fun. New tactics, new ways of self defence, that is pretty interesting. You could try doing that too

 

[theboombody]

Get swole with heavy deadlifts and squats. Use knee wraps and spotters. Find someone who knows what they're doing.

G-rated Shock Value
"No bad words. Just bad ideas."