I'm dying of boredom on the elliptical.... (gym, treadmills, bike)

[Skatergirl]

Now that winter's here I can't stand doing cardio in the gym. In the spring/summer/fall I skate or bike or do uphill walks with loads of treacherous stairs. (There's too much ice on the ground to get any wheels out for now) Today at the gym it was all I could do to not get off the elliptical after 20 minutes. I am finding it harder and harder each day to not let the boredom take over and quit early.

Any suggestions to get me though the winter? Anything?

[Alley01]

Take a spinning class! Not only is it challenging which helps fight that boredom, it is great exercise and more often than not you meet a lot of new people as classes usually have about the same people. Granted, January and February have a lot of the New Years Resolution peeps but most that aren't committed to fitness will leave by March and all the good people will still be around. I can't stand the elliptical either so I feel your pain. I just stick to swimming, spinning, the treadmill and pilates.

[OngletNYC]

I hate it too. It inspired me to bike year-round, well partially anyway. Is that a possibility, start wearing some ski-type underlayers and get out there?

[JustJulia]

Can you hike in the snow? Snowshoe?

[tweetybird11208]

just wear more clothes

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by Skatergirl

Now that winter's here I can't stand doing cardio in the gym. In the spring/summer/fall I skate or bike or do uphill walks with loads of treacherous stairs. (There's too much ice on the ground to get any wheels out for now) Today at the gym it was all I could do to not get off the elliptical after 20 minutes. I am finding it harder and harder each day to not let the boredom take over and quit early.

Any suggestions to get me though the winter? Anything?

MUSIC!! I always have my mp3 player loaded up with good workout tunes. Makes the time fly by.

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by Skatergirl

Any suggestions to get me though the winter? Anything?

Have you tried using the rower? Most gyms have rowing machines that people hardly ever use but they are actually MUCH better pieces of cardio equipment than ellipticals or treadmills. Try that instead and you'll be like "WOW!!!".

Mix it up if youre bored.

Monday - Treadmill
Tuesday - Elliptical
Wednesday - Rower
Thursday - Bike or spinning class
Friday - Jump rope. Most gyms have ropes available. Just jump for 30 minutes.

[Skatergirl]

Originally Posted by LaoTzuMindFu

Have you tried using the rower? Most gyms have rowing machines that people hardly ever use but they are actually MUCH better pieces of cardio equipment than ellipticals or treadmills. Try that instead and you'll be like "WOW!!!".

Mix it up if youre bored.

Monday - Treadmill
Tuesday - Elliptical
Wednesday - Rower
Thursday - Bike or spinning class
Friday - Jump rope. Most gyms have ropes available. Just jump for 30 minutes.

The treadmill is a bit of a yawner, but I actually have used it a few times to "spice" up my workout. I've done the rowing machine a lot but not lately, they're all in use so maybe others are onto your idea? I like the jumprope idea--will get back to it. I haven't tried a spinning class--I am open and will try it. Thanks

[Skatergirl]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

MUSIC!! I always have my mp3 player loaded up with good workout tunes. Makes the time fly by.

There's been days where I've ran out of the house too fast without the music and the workout is so hard without my ipod. But, yes, I have added a ton of music lately--since the snow

[Hobokenkitchen]

Take some classes? Mix it up with P90X or Insanity? Do you ski? Maybe find an indoor pool and do some swimming? Take some dance classes?

Hope you find something that makes the time go quicker!