I'm just curious how often people do cardio (i.e., how many days per week), what kind of cardio, what duration, and what intensity. How do you get through the boredom? I'm making an assumption about that because I'm terrifically bored doing the rowing machine and the treadmill. I'd prefer a good aerobics class, but there are none at the right time. Love my hydrofit class, however, but my trainer wants me to do land stuff so those are the two things I do. She wants me to work up to 60 minutes, and I'm just dreading 60 minutes of sheer boredom. I really enjoy the weight lifting part of the program, however.
Tonight I was watching Reunion Story on fitTV and one of the trainers is having a participant do 60 minutes of aerobics, but it's 20 minutes on each machine. I think it would be less boring doing 20 minutes on three different devices during the hour. I don't see my trainer until next week so I thought I'd see what others thought of this way of getting in 60 min. of cardio?
I love cardio, I do have to admit (probably in the minority here though). I run 5x per week (treadmill or outdoors) between 3-8 miles each time. I also do the elliptical, stairmaster, stationary bike, etc during the week averaging 30-45 min each time. I don't tend to get bored but I also keep the intensity high most sessions. If I am looking for a low intensity I pick up a quickie magazine to read. Good luck finding your groove! I have never taken aerobics or any formal classes before (not offered here)
Sheila I've done the 20 mins on 3 machines and it was recommended to me by a trainer and it was nice to do since, at the time, I didn't like cardio either... At the moment I run outside and on the treadmill and I really like running... I vary my intensities per workout too...
I too do 20 minutes on each machine - stepper, treadmill, and elliptical. Sometimes I'll add the bike in for an extra 20. If you want to break it up try doing some exercise videos. I recently got a bellydance one and its a lot of fun.
Oh yea, as far as intensity I do high. About 80% of max heart rate.
And when you're on the machines try doing things to break up the time. Like on the elliptical do 5 minutes forward, 5 back. Or on the treadmill increase your speed every minute until half way through then go back down. For some reason these kind of things make time go faster.
I absolutely love cardio too. But I think the reason is that I NEVER do it indoors. I hike, kayak, walk or run on nice trails, bike, and do sprints at the track.
If I had to do cardio indoors on machines it would never get done.
I'm new here and have been working out for six weeks. Still trying to figure out the best exercise mix for me, but this is what I do now.
Three days a week: Cardio for 45 minutes. On one day, I do stairmaster for 15 minutes and elliptical for the remaining 30, alternating between forward and backward. On another day, I spend 45 minutes on the treadmill, but increasing the intensity every minute until I reach about 80-85% of my maximum heart rate, then dropping down to 65% and starting over. On the final day, my hub and I ride our bikes along a river trail for 45 to 60 minutes (sometimes longer if we have time). Two or three other days: 15 minutes of cardio, either a quick walk around the neighborhood or lap swimming (can get boring, so I continually try to increase my distance).
Sheila53, why does your trainer only want you doing land stuff? I thought swimming and other water activities were really good.
I do all sorts of things to combat cardio boredom. I do a spinning class once a week which is high intensity. Other times, I do a "cardio triathalon": 15 minutes of intervals on the treadmill, 15 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes in the stepper. Another boredom buster is books on CD- I don't really care what I'm doing if someone is reading a good mystery novel to me!
I also make up intense cardio routines which hog a lot of equipment. You can't do this in a crowded gym, but I'll do 2 minutes of walking incline lunges on the treadmill, then dash to the stepper for 2 minutes, then hop on the treadmill next to it and sprint for 2 minutes, then drop to a walk for 2 minutes. Repeat the whole circuit for half and hour to 40 minutes. You'll be so busy watching a stop watch or clock and trying to get through your current interval that you won't have time to be bored.
Good music helps, too. My dh gave me a tiny flash memory mp3 player that weighs about one ounce. It's so small and light that I clip it to my bra strap and don't even notice it when I'm sprinting.
I do cardio 6x's a week, sometimes everyday. I started out with 20 minutes a day, but now I do about an hour or more. I alternate running, stair stepper, and elliptical (I just can't get my heart rate up on the bike). I think if it weren't for my iPod I wouldn't be able to get through it for that long a duration. Music makes all the difference for me! I usually try and keep my heart rate as close to 85% as possible, sometimes I interval (bring it down then back up). Sometimes I keep it at around 70%, depends on my mood I guess. I haven't taken any classes, to afaid to right now. I hope I will feel confident enough soon though! I would love to try kickboxing and those stair classes.
I second Mel on the audiobooks. I have music on my MP3 too, but I usually opt for the book. I do either elliptical or treadmill about 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. Another trick I use is to cover the time and choose a machine where I can't see the clock. And I often close my eyes too so I'm not distracted by the TVs. When I'm there they're always turned to news or sports which are not what I want when I'm exercising. (It's a bad setup in my gym anyway in that the TVs are too far away/too small for good viewing.) I love riding my bike or walking outside, but it's getting cold/dark/icy, though I'm still doing it on the weekends when I can get out in the middle of the day. Keeping trying different things. Even if you don't end up liking them, you'll be through another cardio session.
I need to get a treadmill. Since I have three young kids it makes it a bit harder to get out and walk or jog. The oter day my littlest one wanted to hold my hand the whole time I was going around the track. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was slowing me down so much.
I try and do some cardio every day at varying intensity. Usually I walk every day and it is often a power walk with a guided tape (like cardio coach). I do a wide assortment of videos, yoga, aerobics, dance, boxing, and kickboxing. I also swim, hike, and ride my bike outside. Oh, and we play sports too, like disc golf, basketball, bowling, even ping pong can get your heart rate up. And sex. There is even a spot on fitday for it!
I aim to do it twice a week.... I do treadmill walking for about 20 minutes and 20 mins on an exercise bike. I also go swimming twice a week doing about 30 laps of the pool!
Cardio--what do you do?
