how to make cardio less boring???

I absolutely can't stand doing cardio... I do it, but I'm bored of it by 10-15 minutes in.. I try to switch it up and do different machines/different intensities but it's all so boring to me... I would rather just do weights but I know I have to do cardio too..

any suggestions/advice on how you make cardio more enjoyable???

Thanks! :)

I am completely new in the whole fitness arena but how about purchasing a aerobic dance dvd to do at home. I use pump it up which has a fantastic sound track by ministry of sound and it is good fun - and you get your cardio at the same time. Good Luck!!

How about walking outside, running, or hiking.  Bicycling.   If it's wintry where you are, ice skating or cross-country skiing.   The changing landscape is much less dull than standing in one place on an elliptical and watching the television.

Why exactly do you need to do cardio? what are your goals?

 

If all you can stand is 15 minutes you can always just do short/intense HIIT sessions.

Circuit train on the weights so you get your cardio in while you're doing what you like to do.

I like exercise classes to keep my cardio interesting!

I get bored doing cardio too. The only thing that saves me is HIIT. Makes it go by much faster and it can be kinda fun.

I do a few things to keep myself entertained... While on the eliptical I manually make a "course" so the first five minutes I go forward, then go backwards for one minute, then go forward for four and increase the level by two, then go backwards for one minute, then forward for three minutes and increase the level by two...... and on and on.  This probably sounds very boring to a lot of people but it makes the time go by fast!

Also, I always listen to either some really good music or a talk show on the radio.

Finally - when doing the stationary bike I read.  (I can't read while bobbing up and down on the elliptical otherwise I would!)

try high intensity interval training(also known as HIIT) it doesnt take long and well the time goes by quik. It also conditions you alot better and burns off fat really well done only like 5 HIIT sessions already and i can see a huge difference as i have lost alot of fat(and im trying to gain weight :0) so ya give HIIT a try if you dont know waht HIIT is just search it on google

Thanks for all the advice... as for my goals.. I am female, 23, 5foot3, and about 120 lbs.. not really looking to lose much weight, maybe 5 lbs but want to get in better shape and tone my legs and core... well tone everything really..

so for HITT, I didn't know you could do this for cardio.. i thought it was just a weight training technique..

does it matter what machines you do it on? And is it basically just doing shorter amounts of time but going harder at it??

Can someone give me an example of your typical HITT workout??

Read, Read, Read! That's what I do and I've found its alot easier to lose track of time rather than watching tv. I know it might be hard when your on the elliptical--but once you get the balance down-its a piece of cake.

toning? if you are not looking to lose weight use the cardio machines for 15 minutes to warm up - then do a good weight circuit - maybe 15 minutes more cardio before stretching out and doing lower ab work before you leave ~

cardio does not build muscle.

reading is a good suggestion, and most gyms have magazines available - but i suggest reading and learning before you go to the gym and better plan your routine.

a good place to start is www.stumptuous.com ;

http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displaysection. php?sid=3 < she has a list of workout ideas that would do well to tone your muscle. lucky you! i loathe cardio machines and have more fat to lose than muscle to build~

HITT all the way baby..

an easy way to to HIIT is the hop on the bicycle, warm up for 5 mins, then CRANK it all the way up to level 5 or 6, go as fast as you can for a min, then take it all the way back down for another min, then repeat the process.

Now you said you want to get in better shape, so you're better off doing some lifting. Listen to what spookychick said and visit stumptuous, theholy grail of lifting for ladies. I actually do the beginners full body workout with 40-60 sec of cardio in between each set. Its so hard, but itll bust you into shape!

I find that taking a class is less boring for me than plugging away on a machine.

 When I do work on the machines it helps if I change something every minute or minute and a half I change something (intensity, or someone mentioned direction on the eliptical.)

Sometimes I will also do ten very intense minutes  on a machine, get off and walk briskly for a few minutes, do ten minutes on a different machine, walk briskly, and then ten minutes on either a third machine or the first one again.  After all that my heart rate has been elevated for about 40 minutes, but its not nearly as boring as 40 minutes straight on one machine!

I also like to listen to NPR podcasts while I work out.  I find it is more distracting than music. 

I prefer classes, strength circuits and videos. IMHO machines cause repetitive stress injuries. You're doing the same movement over and over. 

mgrondin is totally right~ switching machines every 10 minutes makes time fly. they are pretty close together usually, so there is little chance your heart rate will drop much in between. my attention span most days is 7 minutes per machine haha! and that is with music and a magazine.

classes are a big help, especially if you really want to spend an hour doing cardio and just can't seem to stay entertained.  the time flies while you are learning and goes even faster once you are having fun.

Get a dance partner.  Walk on as many errands as you can -- using things you have to do as an excuse for exercise is very beneficial.  Take your bike out on the street -- the cars will keep you entertained.  Have a friend drop you off 5 miles from home -- that will give you plenty of incentive to complete the workout.  Bike or walk on your way to and from work.

I've decided to walk more and take varying routes home, so I can explore the new-ish neighborhood in which I am at. That's fun, and I've found that running from the occasional homeless dude screaming obscenities gives a nice spike of cardio intensity, adding to my overall workout.

My trick is to compete with myself at the gym... I cant really be bothered with cardio either but I go on the cross trainer and try to go and fast as I can for say 1 minute then normal pace for 30 secs then fast as I can for 1 minute 30 then normal pace for 30 secs then fast as I can for 2 minutes then normal pace for 30 and so on - the time flies by and you burn loads of calories!!

Another way is to set yourself a goal - like I HAVE to burn 100 cals on the excercise bike in the next so many minutes and see how well u can do - works for me anyway!!

what i do for HIIT is i warm up with a 5 min jog then when my stopwatcvh says 5 mins i sprint as hard as i can for 30 seconds then i jog for 30 seconds then repeat till i cant go no more lol

I used to be the exact same way.  Now I love to get on my treadmill.  My secrete is my IPod.  I downloaded all my favorite songs and put my earphone on and get into my own zone.  I sing out loud and act a fool.  Music was what helped me.

 PS:  Another way to make it less boring is by walking at a pace of 3 for one minute and then jog at a pace of 5 for one minute.  The time goes by faster and it's actually a better work out for you.