Ways to make working out fun?

[spartan231490]

Well, working out is terrifyingly repetitive, there isn't really much way to make it interesting. I would suggest playing some kind of sport instead of just working out. Go play a few a sets of tennis a couple times a week, join a weekly martial arts class, something like that. Failing that, You could listen to music, or play tv in the background, that's something.

Good luck, my plan to get in shape was a bit delayed by a case of pneumonia. Can't really work out if I fall into uncontrollable coughing jags if I breath heavy. I'm hoping I can hit the gym on Monday.


You could also just focus on the goal, kinda like grinding in an MMO. As boring as it is, the goal is worth it. That intellectual focus might help you keep going.

 

[tehroc]

It seems to me like you're doing the same exercise for too long. I lift weights but I never stay on the same exercise for anymore then five sets and only then on my major compound exercise of the day (press, deadlift and squats). I do three sets for all my ancillary exercises and then move on to the next. I'm in and out of gym in about 40 minutes of 15 sets.

My best suggestion is to create a habit. Do a small routine once a day (at the same time everyday if possible) for a month or two. After you've established a habit, you might just feel guilty for skipping one of your days (like me).

You could also inquire around your town for any running clubs. I see trains of runners fairly frequently around these parts.

 

[bartholen_v1legacy]

Sorry, but working out isn't supposed to be fun. It's the feeling after that gives the endorphine. I would suggest making a workout with different exercises, and making it regular. Or take a specific distance to run, and try to improve your time. That way it works out best, when you have that specific workout you repeat. Try different things and settle on what suits you best.

Run outside. Get a step meter or even just a second clock, and then try to improve your results. Music works great for me to get the adrenaline going.

 

[Robot Number V]

God, treadmills are terrible. I used them for a really long time and only recently began running outside. It's....I can't find the words. It's just so much better, in every conceivable way. Also, running happens to be the only "workout" I ever do, so that's all the advice I can give: Find a place to run outside. Also, if you aren't already, listen to music. I thought this was obvious, but I recently talked about with a friend who's been running for years, and he actually hadn't thought of it until I brought it up, so...Yeah, listen to music. But choose the songs carefully.

 

[RandV80]

When I needed to up my cardio I started doing a bit of jogging, then I said screw this and joined a casual rec soccer league. Way better.

I find that working out, whether doing cardio or weights, is something you either love doing or you don't. Great for a person to be in top physical shape if they love it (lots of my family members are and do), but makes it that much tougher for the rest of us when it's just boring as hell. I don't even get any sort of 'high' from either running or weight lifting, usually I just feel like shit after. Sports are what does it for me though, I play ice hockey and soccer right now, and in the past have done a lot of martial arts.

If you don't like sports either though... well then you're just going to have to find a way to tough it out I guess.

 

[thiosk]

I reccomend a personal trainer to take you through a few sessions, to teach you the proper way to work out.

That will be the best use of your time. The average gym user is wasting their time. Sure, swinging weights around incorrectly is better than nothing, but I too was bored until I worked with a trainer. Now I go in and its fun, makes sense, and is extraordinarily effective.


Alternatively: SPIN classes or TRX classes. Fucking awesome, both of em. TRX makes you ripped and Spin is the hardest workout the average person can do.

captcha:
be careful

you should be. its possible to hurt yourself in the gym if you do things wrong. Think, those guys who scream while pushing way too much weight.

 

[Mirrorknight]

Well, if you live in a decent sized city, and have a bit of extra cash, and you seem to like swords, you should sign up for a fencing class. That's what I ended up doing trying to figure out a way to get exercise and have fun. I'm not just talking about foil fencing. I take Kumdo twice a week. It's Korean swordfighting, a bit like Japanese Kendo (actually it's descended from it. When Japan took over during WWII, they forced Koreans to learn it. When Japan got kicked out, the Koreans basically said the hell with you, we'll take this and do our own thing with it). It's crazy fun. It gets me away from the house, so no distractions, and it's fun dueling other folks in fights. There's some upfront costs, of course, but it's worth it in my opinion. I pay $59 a month for a 6 month membership, and it costs about $50 initially two buy the two swords you use, the recognizable bamboo one, and a wood sword for practicing forms, plus another $50 for the uniform.

It makes a BIG difference. I lost 30 pounds in 6 months, I could run a good mile without getting too winded where I used to be lucky if I could do 300 yards, and my reaction time's gotten a lot faster. I turned out to be really good at fencing, too. Managed to beat a 2nd degree black belt (who was the main instructor at a school in a different town!) in the second round of a tourney, and forced him into a sudden death match in the final round (double elimination tourney. He worked his way back up through the loser's bracket). I ended up losing, but damn it was epic.

You can check around your area and see if its available. Most places will let you try out a single day for free, and most will let you use the school's swords and sweats up until you finish white belt and finish the test for yellow.

 

[suitepee7]

eugh, it's exactly why i stop going to the gym after a few months. i'm restarting again, but not as frequently in the hopes i can keep it up for longer.

personally i listen to fast, loud heavy music if i'm running, will put on an audiobook for cycling, and whatever i feel like at the time (musicwise) for weights. don't know why, but it balances me out a bit if i'm not stuck listening to the same thing for a while.

if i'm exercising at home (free weights/general strength exercises) i'll put something light on to watch, usually family guy or south park. something i don't need to pay full attention to really.

unfortunately there's not a whole lot to do while working out, because it uses up most of your body in the process (constantly moving makes it hard to read for example). if you're lucky enough to own a cycling machine, you could always play games on a controller while absentmindedly pedaling, but other than that your ears and imagination are your best bets. if you have work to do/plans to make, try to form a plan in your head, i often take the time to structure my basic essay ideas when i'm doing cardio as it takes the mind off of the boring exercise.

 

[mindfaQ]

Good music helps a lot, particularly pumping electronic tunes imo.
Normally your body will release endorphins when doing sport once you've overcome the first hurdles.
If you are someone that always needs a quest, maybe think about different kinds of sports. Fitness center courses, learn a self defense technique / martial arts / boxing, sports you can do outside like inline skating, teamsports, stepping music games, dancing ... . Find people to train with if that helps you (so you'll feel bad if you don't advance while those people do advance; psychology).

 

[viranimus]

Sex.

Come on, Find a better aerobic exercise that you will WANT to do. Your workout periods will quickly move from being minutes to hours.

 

[Rolaoi]

Do fun work outs.

My local gym has a rock climbing wall which I really enjoy. I go swimming a lot. I bike from town to town. I hike in the woods. I also like to wrestle.

That last one will really get you into shape. Five minutes of honest to God rolling on a mat with someone will smoke you more than most other exercises you can do in an hour. If that's a little too physical for you, you can also try other martial arts. Many of them are prettier, if less effective.

You can also try finding some dance classes. I did that for a while, and it was fun. Meeting women was nice too as you'll find those classes have a massive imbalance in gender.

 

[Vausch]

Bring someone with you.

It helps immensely because not only can it give you a little feeling of competitive drive for some extra motivation but it also gives you someone to talk to so the only conversation you have isn't grunting or breathing hard.

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

Yeah, similar kind of boat.

I would suggest taking up a martial art if you have the money: in my sixth form, we have a mandatory 6-week extracurricular course we have to do, and I signed up for Taekwondo.

I have to say, it is a lot more fun than regular exercise, so I would recommend something like it.

 

[lacktheknack]

If you like club music, that's helpful, because there's nothing better for working out with.

I've had success watching Youtube videos on a tablet while using s treadmill.

 

[snowpuppy]

Audiobooks, slow tempo songs and podcasts slow you down, get some music with a good beat and go go go. Don't set ridiculous amounts of time (like an hour) that gets hella boring.

 

[loc978]

This is why (for the most part) I despise working out indoors. Personally, I take it outside... but I live in the middle of nowhere. I swim in a river, bike on deer trails, my weights are a splitting maul and firewood. Your mileage (and scenery) may vary.

When I lived in the city, though... I swam at a community center. Hit or miss with the crowds, but at least people-watching is better than wall-watching.

 

[Gamer87]

Download "Zombies, Run!" to your phone and go out running. It got me interested... for a while... I'm lazy.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Working out, be it cardio or lifting, is partly about forcing yourself to prioritize it over another activity. I lift in the gym 5 days a week and I COULD be spending that time playing a game or any other more entertaining activity, but I do it because I like the way it feels and I've learned to enjoy it.

TLDR: Suck it up and learn to like it and the results you get from sticking to it.