Keeping Cardio Enjoyable

Shastaniel · Sat, February 26th, 2005, 03:38 PM

Just a quick moment to share with you all about the subject title. Lately I've dealt with this issue, as I'm sure EVERYONE does (esp. the A.M. fasted state cardio-ers out there like me). Riding a bike for 45 minutes eventually gets monotomous, especially when you've been doing it for over 3 months straight. I usually go for 40-45 minutes at 65% MHR in a fasted state, and it's worked well assuming my diet is in check per given week.

Recently, however, it's such a pain to get through my cardio sessions (even after 15 minutes I wanted to quit, I'm just sick of staring at the same wall and listening to the same playlist over and over again on my ipod). My school's gym is pretty decent, it's like a YMCA and has tracks/courts for other sports on top of the standard weight room and cardio machines. So this morning after waking up, I went to the rec center and at first, for 25 minutes I played basketball by myself. I didn't just shoot the ball, I would sprint the entire court, run old drills, etc. anything to keep my heart rate up but not into the anerobic zone (I don't have a heart rate moniter, so I did the "talk test" to make sure I was in a comfortable zone close to what I'd do on a bike). After 25 minutes, I went and rode the stationary bike for another 20 minutes plus a couple minute cool down. This time FLEW by, mainly because I was warmed plenty from the hoops and I knew I only had to pound out 20 minutes and not a lengthy 45. Together this cardio session was so much more fun than the usual thing. I had the feeling of accomplishment afterwards and that natural workout "high" you get from a job well done.

The funny thing is that I played b-ball in high school and I'm studying media communication right now so I can get a job in the sports broadcasting world after college, but I'm so 100% focused on bodybuilding that I rarely have time to actually play ball myself. This was a great change that I wish I had just bothered doing early, but I used to be so caught up worrying about doing strictly a cardio machine to stay exactly at 65% MHR that I wouldn't try doing other activities. I'm going to implement this strategy from now on, because I'm re-interested in doing cardio now and not just lifting.

Just curious, does anyone else follow a similar plan, as in doing two or more activities/workouts during one trip to the gym? I'd reccomend it absolutely if you hate getting motivated to do "another cardio session."

Sazuki · Sun, February 27th, 2005, 02:22 AM

I was so tired with cardio after 4 months I know what you mean. Indoor cardio drives me crazy.

The one thing that never gets boring is driving a normal bike thruw your neighborhood for half an hour. When you have all kinds of things to look at time fly's by.

raptor · Sun, February 27th, 2005, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sazuki

I was so tired with cardio after 4 months I know what you mean. Indoor cardio drives me crazy.

The one thing that never gets boring is driving a normal bike thruw your neighborhood for half an hour. When you have all kinds of things to look at time fly's by.

I agree. I am much more motivated to get up and go explore the city on my bicycle than to go to the gym and ride a stationary bike. The only problem is that the weather this time of year is really cold in the mornings and I'm too cheap to buy proper attire.

Bawl · Sun, February 27th, 2005, 11:54 AM

When the weather is bad, 5 months out of the year in MN, and I have to workout indoors I usually fire up the PS2, and crank out 65% HR for 45-55 min. Time flys by, and it keeps me motivated because its "morning gaming time", and I have a RPG addiction.

I guess what I'm trying to say is find something that you can do while doing cardio that you enjoy. Read a book, listen to music or an audiobook, game, etc.

Juche · Sun, February 27th, 2005, 01:49 PM

Yeah, doing outside cardio is alot better than indoor cardio. Running or biking through a new neighborhood is different than watching TV on an elliptical.

You can also read or meditate. I try to use some of my cardio time to meditate or read, but I run out of things to read a good deal of the time. Plus you can't read when doing HIIT.

Setting a goal could help too, but I don't know what kind. If you were running you could say 'I want to run the 5k in under 25 minutes' but you are biking. Maybe there is a bike race you can try to ride in and you can view your cardio as a way to prepare for that.

Kirby28Softball · Mon, February 28th, 2005, 10:19 AM

PS2 and Madden keep me going... I could walk all day while playing and never notice I am on the treadmill. I love Madden, and I don't let myself play it unless I am on the treadmill... its working so far.