I do really want to get fit, honest! I have played sport most of my life but recently I have not had the chance, so I have tried going to the gym to try and stay fit, and the main hurdle seems to be that I find it intensely boring running or rowing in one spot for any length of time.
I've tried listening to music but it doesn't seem to help much as it is difficult to hear in the gym. Does anyone have any tips on how to make excercise more fun?
I agree with you working out in a gym is boring, one gym I went to said that there are rowing and bikes now with a video screen in front of them so it looks as if you are going somewhere. I have never seen any through, It would be better to look than the wall or a bank of exercise equipment. Can't offer any ideas on making in more interesting though, sorry.
Do something else. I do body attack, body step, body pump 5 or 6 times a week and I love it.
Even if your local sports centre doesnt do the BTS classes, there will be somewhere near you that does or does something similar.
If you mix up your routine you are less likely to give up.
Hi RichRef. I used to be a gym instructor and found that running or rowing used as a warm up is best done for 10-12 mins max. If you are using it for improving your aerobic capacity then it does get very boring inside a gym. Have you tried visualisation, imagine you are running through a forest listening to birdsong? If you don't need to build up your muscles then you can get a reasonable work out with weights. If you use reasonably light weights, lots of reps and three sets, you will get a good work out too. I found free weights suited me best, static machines for legs. Have you spoken to the instructor there? He/she may have some more ideas that would help. Keep up the good work!
I personally find doing sport in the nature much more interesting and rewarding than in a gym.
Going for a run (+streching&exersise) in the morning while watching the sun coming up (if that is posible in England:021:) is everytime different and not boring....just getting out of bed so early can be hard... :025:
x
Hi RichRef,
I'm with you on trying to find ways to make exercise fun. I've come to the conclusion that exercising in the gym is never going to be fun. The gym I use does have a number of screens to watch and a variety of different entertainment on them but its still sooo boring on the treadmill etc. The only thing that works for me is the promise of my Yoga or Pilates class followed by a sauna and swim, and a gorgeous smoothie afterwards:)
I always feel better when I've been though, no matter how much I didn't t want to go.
I always loved to walk and that seemed to be enough but nowadays I don't get the chance.
Walking and swimming are always good.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
The last couple of days I've tried running outside rather than on a treadmill and it is much more interesting, although it seems to be more of an effort to get going. I think I may join some different classes, maybe do some swimming and have a chat with the instructor at the local gym as Serenwen suggested. Variation seems to be the key!
Classes and participating in sport are definitely more fun. Just going it alone in a gym on a piece of equipment really needs lots of self-motivation. I can't just sit there pedaling and listening to music. I have actually fallen asleep doing this. 
I love reading, however, so read and cycle on an exercise bike. To keep the pace up, I put on banging trance... but you don't have to.
I'm not sure about the banging trance music but you never know!
I tried reading and couldn't concentrate on the words, but I was reading quite a heavy going non-fiction book so maybe something that needs a little less concentration would be best.