How do you making running (elliptical) more enjoyable? (1 Viewer)

[Soulfly3]

So, stemming off another thread, Ive starting working out again, and its really helped my my anger issues and patience... and I just generally feel better.

My shoulder has been completely decimated in a car accident, so I can no longer lift weights without torturous pain, so Im running, mostly on the elliptical... so technically it's not running... but I really prefer it.

3 weeks into it and I already remember how much i LOATHE the act working out/running. love the aftereffects, but while Im doing it, all I do is stare at the clock and pray for it to end.

We have TVs infront of them, and/or I bring an ipod... and it really barely helps.

Any tips/tricks to make it more enjoyable? I cant think of a thing, but there's gotta be some tips out there.

 

[rockaction]

So, stemming off another thread, Ive starting working out again, and its really helped my my anger issues and patience... and I just generally feel better.

My shoulder has been completely decimated in a car accident, so I can no longer lift weights without torturous pain, so Im running, mostly on the elliptical... so technically it's not running... but I really prefer it.

3 weeks into it and I already remember how much i LOATHE the act working out/running. love the aftereffects, but while Im doing it, all I do is stare at the clock and pray for it to end.

We have TVs infront of them, and/or I bring an ipod... and it really barely helps.

Any tips/tricks to make it more enjoyable? I cant think of a thing, but there's gotta be some tips out there.

Interval training (going five minutes at a steady pace mixed with decreasing amounts of hell and steady pace for the next five) mixed with good music.

And weight loss medication (hint: ADHD-type stuff. Speed.)

 

[Soulfly3]

Interval training (going five minutes at a steady pace mixed with decreasing amounts of hell and steady pace for the next five) mixed with good music.
And weight loss medication (hint: ADHD-type stuff. Speed.)

I only do interval training.

If I dont, I feel like I get nothing out of it. Interval training, and my underwear weigh about 10 pounds afterwards

 

[rockaction]

Interval training (going five minutes at a steady pace mixed with decreasing amounts of hell and steady pace for the next five) mixed with good music.
And weight loss medication (hint: ADHD-type stuff. Speed.)

I only do interval training.

If I dont, I feel like I get nothing out of it. Interval training, and my underwear weigh about 10 pounds afterwards

Then I've got nothing for you, my man. Except that wicking materials stink so much worse than cotton.

 

[MAC_32]

There is nothing enjoyable about running on an elliptical. Go outside.

 

[Soulfly3]

There is nothing enjoyable about running on an elliptical. Go outside.

I live downtown Toronto and it's winter

outta the question, unless I head to the lakeshore

 

[MAC_32]

There is nothing enjoyable about running on an elliptical. Go outside.

I live downtown Toronto and it's winter

outta the question, unless I head to the lakeshore

I live in Cleveland, get the gear and you'll be fine. Go to the lakeshore.

 

[McGarnicle]

Fleshlight

 

[John Bender]

Books on tape.

Audible is a God send for me treadmill time.

 

[Wooderson]

Podcasts for me.

 

[Al O'Pecia]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

 

[Bucky86]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

/thread

 

[Osaurus]

There is nothing enjoyable about running on an elliptical. Go outside.

I live downtown Toronto and it's winter

outta the question, unless I head to the lakeshore

Go streaking around the Skydome

 

[RnR]

There is nothing enjoyable about running on an elliptical. Go outside.

I live downtown Toronto and it's winter

outta the question, unless I head to the lakeshore

I live in Cleveland, get the gear and you'll be fine. Go to the lakeshore.

No wonder you get so catty sometimes.

 

[TenTimes]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

Exactly what I was going to say, worth the price of the membership. Audiobooks or thought provoking podcasts too. I hate music, makes it a lot of 3 minute intervals.

Whether it be out in space or in the gutter, get your mind off your body.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I have a nice gym quality elliptical at home...rarely use it though...it's so ### #### boring

 

[Soulfly3]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

/thread

The gym at my condo building has all the elliptical machines in a row.... then infront are the rowing machines, then bikes....

so I have to look to the side, or hope one of the girls uses the bike, which they usually dont.... most everyone uses an elliptical :(

 

[TenTimes]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

/thread

The gym at my condo building has all the elliptical machines in a row.... then infront are the rowing machines, then bikes....

so I have to look to the side, or hope one of the girls uses the bike, which they usually dont.... most everyone uses an elliptical :(

rearrange the machines when nobody's looking elliptical snake

 

[NutterButter]

Buy a bike

 

[Apple Jack]

Buy a bike

Too cold.

 

[jagbag]

So, stemming off another thread, Ive starting working out again, and its really helped my my anger issues and patience... and I just generally feel better.

My shoulder has been completely decimated in a car accident, so I can no longer lift weights without torturous pain, so Im running, mostly on the elliptical... so technically it's not running... but I really prefer it.

3 weeks into it and I already remember how much i LOATHE the act working out/running. love the aftereffects, but while Im doing it, all I do is stare at the clock and pray for it to end.

We have TVs infront of them, and/or I bring an ipod... and it really barely helps.

Any tips/tricks to make it more enjoyable? I cant think of a thing, but there's gotta be some tips out there.

Just picture Josh Gordon catching passes and running for touchdowns. Sorry, I have no other ideas.

 

[None_More_Black]

Usually use for indoor cycling but you can get videos of tour de france stages or other races from first person perspective. They may have some type of trail running video that might be cool.

 

[Apple Jack]

The answer is podcasts, but ultimately all of us who don't have the vanity gene and thrive on the stimulation of motion and outdoors to get the exercise are kinda ####ed in the winter. It sucks.

 

[Ilov80s]

Just imagine you are Josh Gordon getting ready for gameday. Maybe this will inspire you:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9rEnZbxlOMo

Think, would Gordon stop running? Would he give up and let someone tackle him at the 5?

 

[James Daulton]

Cover up the timer and don't look at the clock. I also like to listen to books rather than music.

Oh, and stare at chicks in hot yoga pants.

 

[offdee]

Quality elliptical machine in my place in front of a nice TV with DVR setup.

Being in my place removes all hassle/excuses of having to travel somewhere or possibly need to wait for someone to finish on the machine I want.

With nice TV/DVR setup I've programmed my mind to think of working out as my time to get caught up on TV shows.

I'm not a fan of working out, but love how it feels after. With the above setup and mindset I've religiously worked out 5-6 times per wk for the past 9+ yrs. 30-45 mins on elliptical and 15 mins worth of alternating days of push-up/tricep dip sets and sit-ups sets. With stretching before and after just need to commit 1hr a day. Keep it manageable...for me anything over an hour becomes a hassle and too time consuming (which will eventually become an excuse to yourself to not do it)

With my mindset that's an hour of enjoying a good TV show or two (not think of it as an hour of working out)

 

[ghostguy123]

Make a 50 dollar bet with someone in some sort of weight loss bet over the course of a couple months.

Best case you have more motivation, lose some weight, and win 50 bucks.

Worst case is you have more motivation, lose some weight, and lose 50 bucks.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

/thread

The gym at my condo building has all the elliptical machines in a row.... then infront are the rowing machines, then bikes....

so I have to look to the side, or hope one of the girls uses the bike, which they usually dont.... most everyone uses an elliptical :(

Do wall-sits behind the elliptical.

 

[Dentist]

Can you watch porn on the tv in question?

 

[Quez]

Butt plug

 

[Quez]

Seriously though, you should try doing squats if your shoulder is messed up.

 

[NutterButter]

Buy a bike

Too cold.

Yeah, tip #2. Don't start working out in the winter. There's at least 7 months of solid weather and people always seem to start exercising in the other 5.

Tip #3, winter is the perfect time to get some hiking in. Bike for 7 months, hike for the other 5. Throw in a solid diet and you'll be in good shape your whole life with minimal stress on the joints.

 

[spreagle]

Quarter mile intervals with a 2 or 3 minute rest between each interval. I do intervals on bikes, treadmills and stairmasters and I imagine it can work on ellipticals if the elliptical has speeds or modes that are difficult. As an example, if a 6 minute mile interval pace is a tough speed for you, it only takes only 1:30 to finish, but only the last 30-45 seconds will be truly grueling. Its satisfying to finish each challenging interval which should alleviates the boredom aspect. I either wait a couple minutes or let my heart rate drop to the same amount, say 115 or, then do another interval. Then after you did six or so intervals just do a slow run and burn however many calories you want to burn.

 

[jomar]

The same way you can make anything more enjoyable......smoke a joint beforehand

 

[Angry Beavers]

Use the elipitical behind the hot girl wearing yoga pants.

There is the winner!