Hi ladies,

Looking through the workout log.. I can tell a lot of us are going to the gym. But, is anyone else getting bored? Speaking for myself, I tend to do 20-30 min cardio and then arms/abs or abs/legs (ideally) 4 times a week.

but, it's always the same motions, and the same running routine and whatnot.

So, i thought we could share workouts, cardio methods, and weight training movements.

Some of mine that I feel are great are:

Cardio:
Tread: Incline at least at 2.0 -- run at a slower pace for 3 min, then sprint (at least 1.0 faster than slow pace) for 1 min. Repeat 5 times.

Elliptical: set incline as high as possible -- alternate minutes of regular movement, and then lean back and drop your butt. This will make your legs do more of the workout and your head won't bob.

Abs:
Use the RAB (the ball.. whatever it's called), sit on the edge of it like a chair, lean back until you're parallell with the floor, then do a full sit-up. These make all abs burn, and it puts less stress on the neck.

Okay ladies.. I'm dying for suggestions! Let's hear them...

I could not agree any more with you. The thing is that every time I do switch it up, I STILL get bored. Its almost like a robotic motion. I wish they had a gym, with some palm trees maybe a nice huge pitcture of the ocean, a huge fountain... something to look forward to or soemthing.. a vacation?? LOL me imganation is CRAZY!!
But I do agree.. heres my work out regimen...
cardio~ elliptical at level 3 or so, anywhere from 10 mins- 45, treadmill at highest incline going 3.0 10 - 25 mins switching every 10 mins to half way incline with higher speed <great for burning those buns> stair master 10 -15 mins... thats a rough one for me..
and bike for about 12 mins for cool down to all of them. Not all in one day switch it up quite a bit.

Crunches with the machine and the ball 200 at least

Theres this stick you out your arms out on and you lean from side to side. GREAT for your love handles.

then its off to the machines for arms, back legs thighs all that good stuff...

I get bored to but I'm always trying to do something to push my self so that I keep improving my stamina or speed or what ever.
I am doing that couch to 5 K running program and i'm on week 7 its a good program if you are interested in building up your ability to jog. For a long time I would walk and job and alternate in 2 minute incriments but I never was able to just jog that is why I decided to do the couch to 5 K thing. I'm getting better. I'm not really fast yet but I'm jogging more and walking less.
I alternate this with either the elyptical cross training program for 60 minutes, walking out side, or doing tapes at home. I used to do the elyptical every time but it gets so boreing so I set the jogging goal.
I try and get arms in but I'm not the greatest with that. I do pilates for my abs. The key for me is to have a goal to be working towards so that I'm not just doing the same thing all the time.
I really could use good arm workouts if anyone has them.

Jennie -- the couch to 5K is great.. I did that also. I think i got restless at about week 4 and gave up, but all the sudden I could definitely run more. I few months later I ran my first race, which was actually an 8K and I ran the entire thing. Definitely what I learned was, run slow and steady. On the tread I started at 4.5, and I still rarely run over 5.0.. but I don't care. Put the incline a little higher (I set it at at least 2.0) and trot. Once you get the stamina, the speed will come.

Definitely something to work towards is to register for a race... there's nothing that will put a fire under my bum more than knowing I have to run a race!

Try one of the classes offered at your gym:

I find that learning or trying new things keep you interested. I also like that when your in a class full of people you are more motivated to work your butt off.

Try something new..Pilates-great for toning and strength
I'm one of those that has to be sweating to feel like i'm really working, but am enjoying the slower concentrated pace of pilates.

talking about races - now that i am getting back into it - I am thinking of doing the LA marathon - I did the NY one 2 years ago - but have since grown lazzzy. What I found was the best to get me in gear for running, was surprisingly a running class- not only did it kick my butt, make my running better, but it gave me something to look forward too. I bonded with a bunch of the girls in the class - and we pushed each other to run better. I did this in ny with the road runners club - but many cities (towns?) have these clubs - and they are pretty cheap with many diff levels. I was in the advanced intermediate (or something like that) but they have beginners for people that do what u above described.

oh i wish i belonged to crunch and still lived in nyc - they had the best classes but going to a uni gym kind of makes me depressed - the classes are all filled with skinny 18 yos who either prob always had an eating disorder or never had to worry about their weight

Ha! I live in the middle of nowheresville and am lucky there is even a gym at all. I miss my college gym so much. Here I would be lucky to get in on some line dancing as a class. But I am training with a friend for a 5-k that is being held in September. In May I ran one in 26:21 so my goal is under 25 minutes.

I agree with the people who suggested trying a class at your gym . . . I run most days, but I started taking a circuit training class to spice things up and add some strengthening. It is kicking my butt, my pecs are still sore a WEEK after the class we worked them in! But it's good.

Diamand and the other runners, I think I am going to try and do a race too. I've always wanted to but never could. In september we have one here called the Great Race. I think its 10 K but I could always jog and much as I can and then walk the rest right? But it would be a really good goal to work towards. got to keep it moving.