Hey Guys and Gals,
How do you stay on the treadmill? I get so bored of doing cardio, it isn't even funny.
I've always hated cardio. I know I need to do it for my heart health, HDL is 39.
I don't want to run outside, do to wear and tear on the knees and such. I want to be able to walk
when I'm an old man.
jw
No motivation to do cardio!
Started by
jwaseman
, Feb 10 2012 05:08 AM
44 replies to this topic
Posted 10 February 2012 - 05:35 AM
Try a Spin class, will get your heart rate up with a good instructor. It's good cross training for one and two it's not hard on your knees. Give it a shot.
No answers on treadmill except for the obvious - Sports on TV or hot woman on treadmill in front of mine.
No answers on treadmill except for the obvious - Sports on TV or hot woman on treadmill in front of mine.
Posted 10 February 2012 - 07:20 AM
I have just started makiing myself do cardio in the past couple months. I have to mix it up, Monday I ride the bike for 20 min. Wed. stairstepper for 30 min. then on Friday I either jog for 45min. or see how fast I can run a 5K in. To be honest I still dread it but after about 2 weeks I could tell a huge difference while riding (did not fatigue no where near as quick). That really helped me to push harder. While on the stepper I usally read a magazine, on the bicycle listen my Bible app or a book, while running I listen to music (eye of the tiger works wonders). So for me the key is to mix it up, I used to just try and run and would get burnout so quick I couldn't handle more then a week at a time. Just stick with it, it will be worth it.
Posted 10 February 2012 - 10:18 AM
ktm113mcp, on 10 February 2012 - 07:20 AM, said:
I have just started makiing myself do cardio in the past couple months. I have to mix it up, Monday I ride the bike for 20 min. Wed. stairstepper for 30 min. then on Friday I either jog for 45min. or see how fast I can run a 5K in. To be honest I still dread it but after about 2 weeks I could tell a huge difference while riding (did not fatigue no where near as quick). That really helped me to push harder. While on the stepper I usally read a magazine, on the bicycle listen my Bible app or a book, while running I listen to music (eye of the tiger works wonders). So for me the key is to mix it up, I used to just try and run and would get burnout so quick I couldn't handle more then a week at a time. Just stick with it, it will be worth it.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but true cardio STARTS at 1.5 HOURS. Prior to that your using more of your ANAEROBIC engine. Physiologicly (sp?) that's just the way we're built.
You've got a great start, but the key here is constant heart rate (HR) and leg speed for your purposes low gears are going to serve you better than high (hard) gears. Now I don't know if you're on a bike or a quad, BUT if your on a bike get yourself a nice high quality road bicycle and start putting on some outdoor road miles. A hole lot more fun than going to spin class on trying to get your time in on one of those ill fitting ergo bikes they have in the gym. No get your self a bike that fits you well and performs flawlessly as it should. See the added bonus you get from riding said bike is improved balance, improved confidence, better understanding on how to get out of "OH _ _ _ _!" situations, to name just a few.
Cycling sets the standard for aerobic activities, because of all the data that can be gathered in real time, and all the same equipment is available to you if you so chose. I would HIGHLY recommend getting a GOOD (polar) HR monitor that is downloadable. Indoor trainers are available as well as ROLLERS. Rollers are great for a lot of reasons, they teach you : 1) to ride a line. no riding "swerve" you'll ride OFF the rollers! 2) when in doubt "HIT THE GAS!" the ONLY thing keeping you upright are those gyroscopes we call wheels, the slower you go , the less stable you become. rollers REALLY help to reinforce this 3) balance, can you ride them no handed? can you get up and sprint?
LOTS OF WAYS TO MIX IT UP ON A BIKE! Now if you're on a quad........ then you'll start wondering why you've got those 2 extra wheels that keep getting in the way!?
Posted 10 February 2012 - 10:18 AM
If you don't like to do cardio, look at doing a rest-based training type workout. It's only a 30 minute workout plus you get the benefits of cardio + weights. If you are going to use the bike/elliptical/treadmill, make sure you do interval training vs. going at one speed and resistance the whole time.
You didn't say what your other cholesterol levels were.....But, if you want to raise your HDL, you're going to have to look at diet first....are you taking any omega-3/EPA/DHA? Raw organic cocoa too -
The flavonoids in cocoa raise HDL, the “good” cholesterol and both lower and protect LDL or “bad” cholesterol from being oxidized (damaged by free radicals) in the blood
You didn't say what your other cholesterol levels were.....But, if you want to raise your HDL, you're going to have to look at diet first....are you taking any omega-3/EPA/DHA? Raw organic cocoa too -
The flavonoids in cocoa raise HDL, the “good” cholesterol and both lower and protect LDL or “bad” cholesterol from being oxidized (damaged by free radicals) in the blood
Posted 10 February 2012 - 11:10 AM
Forgot to add listening to comedy PODCASTS helps me during workouts. Kind of makes time go faster when you can forget what your doing and laugh a little.
Posted 10 February 2012 - 01:33 PM
cse2c, on 10 February 2012 - 05:35 AM, said:
Try a Spin class, will get your heart rate up with a good instructor. It's good cross training for one and two it's not hard on your knees. Give it a shot.
No answers on treadmill except for the obvious - Sports on TV or hot woman on treadmill in front of mine.
No answers on treadmill except for the obvious - Sports on TV or hot woman on treadmill in front of mine.
Tried that! Boooooorrrrring, thanks for the tip!
Riel250f, on 10 February 2012 - 06:45 AM, said:
Yeah, Spin bike is my suggestion too.
ktm113mcp, on 10 February 2012 - 07:20 AM, said:
I have just started makiing myself do cardio in the past couple months. I have to mix it up, Monday I ride the bike for 20 min. Wed. stairstepper for 30 min. then on Friday I either jog for 45min. or see how fast I can run a 5K in. To be honest I still dread it but after about 2 weeks I could tell a huge difference while riding (did not fatigue no where near as quick). That really helped me to push harder. While on the stepper I usally read a magazine, on the bicycle listen my Bible app or a book, while running I listen to music (eye of the tiger works wonders). So for me the key is to mix it up, I used to just try and run and would get burnout so quick I couldn't handle more then a week at a time. Just stick with it, it will be worth it.
Now this might work, I may throw swimming in there. Good one! thanks!
Watige420, on 10 February 2012 - 10:18 AM, said:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but true cardio STARTS at 1.5 HOURS. Prior to that your using more of your ANAEROBIC engine. Physiologicly (sp?) that's just the way we're built.
You've got a great start, but the key here is constant heart rate (HR) and leg speed for your purposes low gears are going to serve you better than high (hard) gears. Now I don't know if you're on a bike or a quad, BUT if your on a bike get yourself a nice high quality road bicycle and start putting on some outdoor road miles. A hole lot more fun than going to spin class on trying to get your time in on one of those ill fitting ergo bikes they have in the gym. No get your self a bike that fits you well and performs flawlessly as it should. See the added bonus you get from riding said bike is improved balance, improved confidence, better understanding on how to get out of "OH _ _ _ _!" situations, to name just a few.
Cycling sets the standard for aerobic activities, because of all the data that can be gathered in real time, and all the same equipment is available to you if you so chose. I would HIGHLY recommend getting a GOOD (polar) HR monitor that is downloadable. Indoor trainers are available as well as ROLLERS. Rollers are great for a lot of reasons, they teach you : 1) to ride a line. no riding "swerve" you'll ride OFF the rollers! 2) when in doubt "HIT THE GAS!" the ONLY thing keeping you upright are those gyroscopes we call wheels, the slower you go , the less stable you become. rollers REALLY help to reinforce this 3) balance, can you ride them no handed? can you get up and sprint?
LOTS OF WAYS TO MIX IT UP ON A BIKE! Now if you're on a quad........ then you'll start wondering why you've got those 2 extra wheels that keep getting in the way!?
You've got a great start, but the key here is constant heart rate (HR) and leg speed for your purposes low gears are going to serve you better than high (hard) gears. Now I don't know if you're on a bike or a quad, BUT if your on a bike get yourself a nice high quality road bicycle and start putting on some outdoor road miles. A hole lot more fun than going to spin class on trying to get your time in on one of those ill fitting ergo bikes they have in the gym. No get your self a bike that fits you well and performs flawlessly as it should. See the added bonus you get from riding said bike is improved balance, improved confidence, better understanding on how to get out of "OH _ _ _ _!" situations, to name just a few.
Cycling sets the standard for aerobic activities, because of all the data that can be gathered in real time, and all the same equipment is available to you if you so chose. I would HIGHLY recommend getting a GOOD (polar) HR monitor that is downloadable. Indoor trainers are available as well as ROLLERS. Rollers are great for a lot of reasons, they teach you : 1) to ride a line. no riding "swerve" you'll ride OFF the rollers! 2) when in doubt "HIT THE GAS!" the ONLY thing keeping you upright are those gyroscopes we call wheels, the slower you go , the less stable you become. rollers REALLY help to reinforce this 3) balance, can you ride them no handed? can you get up and sprint?
LOTS OF WAYS TO MIX IT UP ON A BIKE! Now if you're on a quad........ then you'll start wondering why you've got those 2 extra wheels that keep getting in the way!?
Now, I dont' want to hear that! A lot of good info here though! thanks!
Now, I dont' want to hear that! A lot of good info here though! thanks!
InlineSkater, on 10 February 2012 - 10:18 AM, said:
If you don't like to do cardio, look at doing a rest-based training type workout. It's only a 30 minute workout plus you get the benefits of cardio + weights. If you are going to use the bike/elliptical/treadmill, make sure you do interval training vs. going at one speed and resistance the whole time.
You didn't say what your other cholesterol levels were.....But, if you want to raise your HDL, you're going to have to look at diet first....are you taking any omega-3/EPA/DHA? Raw organic cocoa too -
The flavonoids in cocoa raise HDL, the “good” cholesterol and both lower and protect LDL or “bad” cholesterol from being oxidized (damaged by free radicals) in the blood
You didn't say what your other cholesterol levels were.....But, if you want to raise your HDL, you're going to have to look at diet first....are you taking any omega-3/EPA/DHA? Raw organic cocoa too -
The flavonoids in cocoa raise HDL, the “good” cholesterol and both lower and protect LDL or “bad” cholesterol from being oxidized (damaged by free radicals) in the blood
ooooh, this might work too! HdL and LDL both combined I'm at 137 I think, with a statin drug.
Cocoa! I eat M&M's all day long! Salmon with barbecue sauce to!
thanks for the tips!
Jw
Posted 10 February 2012 - 07:44 PM
I suggest good imported beer and cigars..that will straighten all the other stuff right out......LOL
Posted 11 February 2012 - 08:52 AM
I totally agree cardio on a treadmill is extremely boring (although I do put it up with it)...I like to play racquetball for my cardio, this is something that Gary Semics even suggests as cross training for MX. It burns tons of calories, gets your heartrate up and keeps it up and gets the competitive juices flowing. On average, you run (in short sprints) 1.5 miles per game of racquetball!
Posted 11 February 2012 - 07:51 PM
Without reading like crazy....my suggestion is to mix it up with bike/running...and ALSO look up High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I love doing it. I feel like I did more in 15mins than I would in an 45 of steady cardio. Not to mention it really spikes your heart rate and pipes up your metabolism. If i was tryin to cut down, I'd typically lift first, at a brisk pace with adequate but not LONG rest....sometimes superset things...with lighter weight...keep the heart rate up, then follow that up with 15-20mins of HIIT.
Use caution when starting out doing this though, and don't overdo it....i'd also suggest a lil warm up before it, and also a decent cool down after. But definitely look into it online if you're interested. A lot of people consider HIIT a good thing for like "burst" athletes, because it does require short bursts of very high intensity followed by periods of lower intensity one right after the other for set periods of time...early on like 30-45 seconds of fury going hard and burning....followed by 45-90sec of moderate to light. Again, look it up, and then depending on your current health work up to it, don't just go gun-ho the first day...its not easy when done correctly, but the payoffs are fantastic IMO.
And to get back to the point, it will add some variety to regular ole cardio if you pick a couple days a week to do this!
Use caution when starting out doing this though, and don't overdo it....i'd also suggest a lil warm up before it, and also a decent cool down after. But definitely look into it online if you're interested. A lot of people consider HIIT a good thing for like "burst" athletes, because it does require short bursts of very high intensity followed by periods of lower intensity one right after the other for set periods of time...early on like 30-45 seconds of fury going hard and burning....followed by 45-90sec of moderate to light. Again, look it up, and then depending on your current health work up to it, don't just go gun-ho the first day...its not easy when done correctly, but the payoffs are fantastic IMO.
And to get back to the point, it will add some variety to regular ole cardio if you pick a couple days a week to do this!
Edited by J_WR2fitty, 11 February 2012 - 07:52 PM.
Posted 11 February 2012 - 10:19 PM
Btw, do ease the knees...this can be done quite effectively on a spin bike, or even a regular exercise bike too...whether you crank the knob down on the band...old fashion, lol...or dial up the resistance quickly.
Posted 11 February 2012 - 10:55 PM
J_WR2fitty, on 11 February 2012 - 07:51 PM, said:
Without reading like crazy....my suggestion is to mix it up with bike/running...and ALSO look up High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I love doing it. I feel like I did more in 15mins than I would in an 45 of steady cardio. Not to mention it really spikes your heart rate and pipes up your metabolism. If i was tryin to cut down, I'd typically lift first, at a brisk pace with adequate but not LONG rest....sometimes superset things...with lighter weight...keep the heart rate up, then follow that up with 15-20mins of HIIT. Use caution when starting out doing this though, and don't overdo it....i'd also suggest a lil warm up before it, and also a decent cool down after. But definitely look into it online if you're interested. A lot of people consider HIIT a good thing for like "burst" athletes, because it does require short bursts of very high intensity followed by periods of lower intensity one right after the other for set periods of time...early on like 30-45 seconds of fury going hard and burning....followed by 45-90sec of moderate to light. Again, look it up, and then depending on your current health work up to it, don't just go gun-ho the first day...its not easy when done correctly, but the payoffs are fantastic IMO. And to get back to the point, it will add some variety to regular ole cardio if you pick a couple days a week to do this!
This is ANAEROBIC work, NOT AEROBIC CARDIO. Physiologicly you ENTER aerobic work zone at roughly 20 min, hell even a proper warm-up with multiple openers ( when your going ALL_OUT to start releasing LACTATE - ACID BUFFERS ) is at least 30 min in length. HIIT is great for final build-up for a specific, targeted race or event. The reason you feel SO worked is that your using your ANAEROBIC ENGINE without an AEROBIC FOUNDATION, without that foundation your recovery times are going to be way out of wack! Try this next time you do your HIIT routine, do reverse builds start with 5 sec max 2 min recovery then 10 sec max 2min recovery, 15 sec max and so on to complete failure. give your self ( we'll be nice to start with ) 10 min to recover start with 10 sec max this time, same 2 min recovery again to failure.
Want to do better? Then INVEST in BASE TRAINING, PURE AEROBIC CARDIO WORK!!! The objective of BASE training is to build your AEROBIC ENGINE, Train your body to readily burn fat, increase your VO2 MAX, increase the power out put your body is capable of producing at a LOW heart rate ( former professional cyclist athlete of mine, meaning that I coached ) ended his cycling career producing 350 watts at 132 BPM. Thats a race changer!
Just remember professional "BURST" athletes spend a large part of their training season doing endurance work. Why you might be asking yourself? Well it's really simple, if you can produce 350 watts @ 132 BPM think of what the power output is going to be at 225 BPM his TRUE ( LAB TESTED ) heart rate limit is going to be!? 1400 + watts!... What this means is you can pick your bike up more times, you can ride further, you can ride more difficult terrain, you have a clearer head.
There are NO quick easy ways of becoming fit. BUT! BASE has HUGE bonuses, in that BASE is cumulative, I often ride with my athletes whom are 1/2 - 1/3 my age and leave them panting, because my cumulative BASE means I'm NEVER out of breath, and my rate of recovery is VERY fast. But this is a payoff from DECADES of physical exertion and training.
Trying tone encouraging, but REALISTIC about what training is going to get you what.
Posted 12 February 2012 - 12:28 PM
Watiage I just felt like I watched a inspirational ad for a new fitness video....but i was reading. JK, lol..but I understand what you are saying. I guess I may not have been using it properly, nor was it the only cardio I did. I only did it a couple times a week. In Jan of 09 I weighed about 225lbs (5'8)...by late June'ish i was @ 160. Now I contribute it moreso to the amazing strict diet I kept with 0 cheating...which is quite difficult until you just buy into it being a "lifestyle".
Posted 13 February 2012 - 05:34 AM
I had the same concerns James. Get a road bike or mountain bike and just try to ride a couple times a week and your cardio will go up like crazy. It works. Its fun too because you feel like a kid again riding a bike! I will never stop riding a bicycle now!
Posted 14 February 2012 - 06:02 AM
I do mountain bike at times, usually i go with a friend so that while were riding were talking. We also do boxing
Posted 14 February 2012 - 01:10 PM
got me a seat spinner this year (had to) it is very hard to motivate yourself to exercise, well at least to do it days, weeks, years, w/o stopping. You need to find yourself something while running.. I watch reruns of MX & SX and think of riding myself.. maybe I have good imagination..
Posted 14 February 2012 - 04:05 PM
No you are right on...when you think of riding you get that little adrenaline zip of excitement that helps keep you motivated. Man music helps too. I did a spin class last night and when a heavy song came on it really gave me that tinge of excitement and the cadence jumped back up and the heart rate jumped up as well.
Posted 14 February 2012 - 04:44 PM
for wreslting cardio alot this year we did short runs came directly inside from the cold and started working alot of reps with really low weight for about an hour and a half (100 squats of 100 lbs later ), probably one of the hardest workouts i've ever had... that + the runs we did are just awesome for cardio, pluss our coach made us run on offroad paths so we were running the cross country courses every couple days, it kept it interesting for us.
my sugguestion would be though to try instead of inside exercise, get a cheap road bike and go for a long ride, it's nice because it lets you focus on different things at the same time, keeps you alert and the time flys by, try the low weight thing from a short hard run too i noticed an incredible improvement in my stamina.
but now i'm a lard ass and need to start this stuff again because wrestlings over and i've been eating! alot...
), probably one of the hardest workouts i've ever had... that + the runs we did are just awesome for cardio, pluss our coach made us run on offroad paths so we were running the cross country courses every couple days, it kept it interesting for us.my sugguestion would be though to try instead of inside exercise, get a cheap road bike and go for a long ride, it's nice because it lets you focus on different things at the same time, keeps you alert and the time flys by, try the low weight thing from a short hard run too i noticed an incredible improvement in my stamina.
but now i'm a lard ass and need to start this stuff again because wrestlings over and i've been eating! alot...
Posted 15 February 2012 - 07:17 AM
I would say that there are VERY FEW people who actually ENJOY doing cardio. Most will see good cardio as a means to an end. That is what keeps them on the treadmill. I would say that if you or anybody is doing cardio just for the sake of doing cardio you not like it, you will get bored and you will quit. Agreed?
I would venture to say that RV2 does not LIKE doing cardio. But I don't think there is any doubt in anyones mind that he does cardio. So why does he (or anybody) do it? 'Cuase they got their eye on the prize!! He knows that he has got to bust his ass doing his cardio workouts to stay on top.
You have got to decide what your PRIZE is and is it worth all the pain and suffering to get it. Because hard core cardio does equal pain and suffering.
I don't like running. But I set some goals for myself and that has helped keep me motivated. (I want to be able to do a 5K in under 25 mins). Knowing all along that it will also help with my riding endurance. Know each time I run it's kinda like a race. I am testing myself to see if I can beat my last time.
Recently I have mixed in rowing on the Concept 2 machine at the gym. Rowing is great. You can bust your butt on that machine and there is virtually no impact on the knees. (I'm getting old)
So - Figure out why you want to cardio. Mix it up for sure. (cycle, spin, run, row, ride) put on some groovy tunes and get after it!
I would venture to say that RV2 does not LIKE doing cardio. But I don't think there is any doubt in anyones mind that he does cardio. So why does he (or anybody) do it? 'Cuase they got their eye on the prize!! He knows that he has got to bust his ass doing his cardio workouts to stay on top.
You have got to decide what your PRIZE is and is it worth all the pain and suffering to get it. Because hard core cardio does equal pain and suffering.
I don't like running. But I set some goals for myself and that has helped keep me motivated. (I want to be able to do a 5K in under 25 mins). Knowing all along that it will also help with my riding endurance. Know each time I run it's kinda like a race. I am testing myself to see if I can beat my last time.
Recently I have mixed in rowing on the Concept 2 machine at the gym. Rowing is great. You can bust your butt on that machine and there is virtually no impact on the knees. (I'm getting old)
So - Figure out why you want to cardio. Mix it up for sure. (cycle, spin, run, row, ride) put on some groovy tunes and get after it!
