I get so bored

[bgray20041986]

I've been trying to workout to improve myself, but I have a slight problem. I get bored with it so easy. So I tend to jump around from exercise to exercise. But is all my jumping around causing harm to my workout? and also if any of you have any tips on how to make a workout more exciting it would be great.

[omelissokomos]

Originally Posted by bgray20041986

But is all my jumping around causing harm to my workout?

If you're following a set program, then I'd have to say yes. Exercises are sequential for a reason.

As for making your workouts more exciting, this would be done in conjunction with your goals. You could do supersets/circuits or unilateral training (single limb), adjust the speed of your reps (slower or more explosive) and the amount of rest time (30 seconds make things very interesting).

[inflated]

There is no reason to be bored, you have lots of research to do so you can find a program that fits your needs and your schedule. If you up the intensity each workout, eventually the workouts will be a contest with yourself and you should not be bored. Its all in the attitude towards working out. Lifting is boring when its not challenging, make your workouts difficult and you will enjoy them more.

[abbraxis]

Sounds like the issue is more related to self-motivation then gym strategy...

[Gene]

Exercises performed because you have to are indeed boring and you're just wanting to get through them.

Exercises performed because you know what it is doing to your body and you are listening to what your body is telling you, has much more meaning!

It's not so much X number of repetitions with Y amount of weight as it is the feeling you get when you know you are working at a non-damaging maximum effort. To get there you have to listen to your body. That's how people end up doing sets with increasing and then decreasing weight. One light set to warm up, 2nd set to approach maximum poundage, 3rd set to achieve maximum poundage, 4th set at lower poundage to achieve a safe and controlled burnout. If you're thinking about where you are in the sets and listening to what your body is telling you, you don't have time to get bored.

Building big muscle is not about maximum poundages or numerous repetitions, it is about maximizing constructive stress of your muscles then eating and sleeping right to let it rebuild. To do that you have to learn how to listen to what your body is telling you and to do that you can't be letting your mind drift. A good workout schedule has only a few exercises any one day but you do a GOOD workout for those few exercises concentrating all the way and LISTENING to what your body says before, during, and after the session.

I know it sounds corny but I bet a lot of big guys here will have some idea about what it means to listen to your muscles.

I agree that 45 minutes of cardio on a stupid stationary bicycle is mentally painful. I don't do it. Never did do it. Won't ever do it. When I was at my peak I rode a real bicycle 8 miles to/from the gym or did a "cycle" or two of full body machine exercises for about 20 minutes to build up a sweat. Then went into the weights. There are other ways of getting cardio other than interminable mindless motion.

[chocomus]

if you get bored while working out you can hear music or radio... if it doesn't make you lose concentration

[AS2000]

Along the lines of what inflated and Gene said, I think if you really push yourself at the gym, you won't get bored.

I'm certainly not an expert, but from my own experience, I pretty much focus on my workout, and that's more or less it. While I'm lifting, I concentrate entirely on moving the weight. (And it takes all of my concentration to move it, it seems.) During the rest between sets, I'm usually counting the seconds down to when I start the next set, focusing on my breathing, and stretching a bit. When I finish my sets, I get a drink of water, and move on to the next exercise. All in all, I find that time flies, and I'm never bored at the gym. (Not even on the elliptical machine, lol.)

Then again, I enjoy working out as a general rule, so take my advice with a grain of salt. (I have a desk job, so getting into the gym and moving at the end of the day is a good feeling.)

[Slevin]

I'll go at it from the psychological point of view.

It sounds like to me the problem is not that you are bored, it's that you are not seeing results a.k.a the "desired effect" (positive effect). I would suggest that you do a little research and find a program.

I will say that went to a local gym, everyone would hover around the equipment, which would pressure me into ending that part of my work-out early. For the first three months I saw almost no results worth mentioning. I started to get bored, and found myself leaving earlier, and earlier.

When I invested in some home equipment, I saw much better results in just weeks. It was a huge difference for me to not have all those people around me.

[Slevin]

Sorry I've been talking to patients all night lol...by program I meant find a workout routine that keeps you motivated.

I mean if you need a program like AA or NA, we can talk about that too..

[TheMM]

Originally Posted by Slevin

Sorry I've been talking to patients all night lol...by program I meant find a workout routine that keeps you motivated.

I mean if you need a program like AA or NA, we can talk about that too..

I need a program from ya Slevin, my fellow psycho...logist. (Though I'm still in school for that.)

I need an MGLA.

Muscle
Growth
Lovers
Aannoyomous

Oh wait...we're already here!

[bgray20041986]

Hey fellas, thanks for taking the time to post and give me some advice. I'm currently looking at different ways to spice up my workout. luckily with summer, there are alot of ways to exercise without being stuck indoors