10 Ways To Work Through Your Workout

I like group writing projects. For those of you who are not aware of what they are, it’s when another blog out there picks a topic and then recruits other bloggers to write about it. Well, the Litemind blog has come up with a very simple topic for their group writing project, list posts. So with no further ado, here’s my entry.

10 Ways To Work Through Your Workout

We’ve all been there, we’re working out and we just can’t get into it. We’re bored, we want the workout to end and we’re about to pack our stuff up and go home. Even people who really enjoy work outs (like me) sometimes have moments like this. So here are a quick 10 tips to making sure you don’t quit.

#1 - Music - Music is one of the best methods for making a workout go by faster. You’ve all seen the legions of iPod wearing gym goers out there and I have to admit that I’m one of them. Put some ear phones on, pick a fast pace play list and you’re set. The rhythm will keep you moving and singing along to your favorites will help the time go by. Just try to avoid music that’s too slow since our bodies do tend to adjust to the rhythms around us. And if you see me at the gym humming the words to Bon Jovi’s “You give love a bad name”, feel free to smile and sing along.

#2 - Bring a partner - Nothing will make the workout go by faster than having someone to talk to. Don’t just talk about the workout, have an actual conversation. Talk about your favorite movie, recent events, how you feel at work. Whatever it takes, just keep up a conversation. You’ll be surprised when you reach the end of your workout without even noticing.  If you forgot to bring your partner, why not strike up a conversation at the gym?  Don’t be rude about it but I’m betting you find many others at the gym who enjoy talking while working out.

#3 - Podcasts - When you work out, your muscles are being used but your mind is idle. Why not put those idle cycles to good use by listening to something? NPR transmits most of their programs via podcasts these days and iTunes offers up hundreds of other options. How about listening to the news? Learn some new words in Spanish? You can even listen to entertainment programs. I love listening to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me while I’m working out. There was this one time it made me laugh so hard I dropped a weight on my foot, but otherwise it’s been perfect for making me look forward to my time at the gym instead of dreading it.

#4 - Set A Speed Goal - How quickly do you finish your workout? For me, I do my weight training in about 35 minutes. If I’m really bored, I’ll see how much faster I can do it. My best time so far is around 25 minutes. Sounds silly but it keeps you focused on the workout instead of thinking of all the things you could be doing elsewhere.

#5 - Audio Books - Another good method of occupying your mind while you work out. Audio books are available from a variety of sources and in multiple formats. How about reading that new Harry Potter while you lift weights? Why not set up a regular routine where you listen to a chapter of some book each workout? It might make you look forward to the workout rather than dread it.

#6 - Charm - Why are you working out? Is it to lose weight? To look better? Maybe it’s because you want to spend more quality time with your kids but just can’t keep up with them in your current shape. Whatever your reason is, bring something with you to the gym that will remind you of it. For me, it’s my wedding band. I want to be in shape because I want to spend many many happy years with my wife. If I get unmotivated, that wedding band reminds me of why I’m there.

#7 - Group Workouts - For us solitary gym goers, a group workout can be quite a surprise. Whether it’s a spinning class, an aerobics session or just a bunch of people working out together with a personal trainer, groups can motivate the individual members.

#8 - TV - Yep, you heard me right, TV can help you workout. How you say? After all, TV is the dreaded enemy of personal fitness, numbing your mind while expanding your ass. Well, TV does have one primary quality and that is its ability to completely distract your brain. I time my gym visits so I always get on the treadmill at 3pm because the treadmills at my gym all have built in TV’s. One Law & Order rerun later and I’m done. It’s silly, but I get so into the program that I barely notice the fact that I’m running.

#9 - Problem Solving - I usually go to the gym during the work day, and one of the things I’ve found that really helps me get through a tough workout is focusing on a work issue. Maybe I’m trying to decide how to implement a new feature or maybe I’m working on a presentation. Whatever it is, I work on it in my head as I workout.

#10 - [Fill In Your Own Answer] - I’m curious to hear how other people get through those bad days when workouts just don’t seem worth it.

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