Are elliptical trainers or stationary bikes boring?

garance

garance

Cathlete
My knees are really going now after 15 years of impact aerobics and running before that, but I am wondering how boring a trainer or bike will be. I bored myself nearly to death with the Nordic track and finally gave it away, so I am worried about the investment.
 
Read my post on Spinervals - you can get a fabulous high intensity no impact workout on a spin bike - and they are not boring. www.spinervals.com. He has runervals, too - which I'll bet can be tailored to an ellipitcal trainer.
 
I think it depends. I do about 20 min on the elliptical trainer once a week and I feel that is about all I can handle before I want to crawl up the walls from bordeom. I am also not a big fan of stationary bikes, but I love riding my road bike on the trainer or a spinning bike. It just feels more like riding a bike should feel and I can really push myself because I love biking. I have heard a lot of people talking about Cardio Coach and iTrain. These programs seem like they would really help to keep you focused and get a good workout on any cardio machine (bike or elliptical) while reducing the bordeom factor, but I haven't tried them. Sorry that I am not really much help, but I think that it really is something that is different for everyone.

Karin
 
I find most equipment boring. I've tried Nordic track, stationary bikes, eliptical trainers...and I never stick with them (the stationary bike had more potential, because there are "spinning"-type workouts on DVD made for them'---I'm a real vidiot! And the eliptical and bike might work out better for me now that I've discovered Cardio Coach guided interval workouts, but just doing the moves to music or while watching TV...a snooze and a half for me!)
 
I have an Elliptical trainer ( manual type), that I have a real hard time using. I will do any other cardio before I get on that thing!. I don't know what it is, but I can do the treadmill and watch TV for a long time, but put me on the Elliptical, same room, same TV etc and I can't stay on past 20 minutes. I was also looking at Cardio Coach to see if it would keep my mind occupied or something, but I don;t have an MP3 or Ipod or any of those new music things! Just the old boom box with a cassette tape or CD!
 
I have been riding my dh's Schwinn airdyne for the last month, and at first I *HATED* it!! Thought it was so boring, and HARD..... a minute seemed like forever:p Well I decided to stick with it......... been riding it everyday since Feb 1st (minus a day or two) I like to listen to books on tape the best!! I get a really good workout in, and I am *FINALLY* seeing that stubborn layer of body fat over my abs starting to go!!

~Nicole
 
I agree with Christine. My knee and a reoccurring PF problem were really getting me down. I finally took the plunge and got a revmaster and I LOVE it! You have to work with Coach Troy, though. Very tough stuff! Marnie
 
I don't have a problem using indoor equipment as long as I can watch T.V. while I'm using it. It's boring for me just listening to music. We have a treadmill and I can use it for up to an hour with no problem...as long as I can watch a movie or something on T.V. that I like. I actually plan my treadmill workouts around programs that are on t.v. so I'll use it more. And that way instead of sitting on the sofa watching an episode of Midsomer Murders...I'm on the treadmill burning calories. Problem is when there is an all day marathon...sooner or later you have to get off to use the toilet!
 
Cardio Coach has tremendously helped with the bordom factor on my stationary bike and treadmill. I watch silent TV (usually Seinfeld reruns) and use Cardio Coach on my ipod. Great workouts! I actually prefer the treadmill and stationary bike as my indoor cardio lately, since Cardio Coach. I've used Runnervals before and they help with bordom too. But, I think I like CC better.
 
If you have one in the basement with no TV or any access to music, of course it will be boring. Always have your cardio equipment in a room with a TV so you can watch your favorite shows, OR listen to your favorite music while you exercise.
Just Do It! :)
 
I'm also a Cardio Coach fan. I have all of the workouts and they are just great. I couldn't bring myself to use the cardio machines anymore out of boredom, until I discovered CC. It's great. It sounds kind of corny when you talk about it, but it really does work.

I don't have an MP3 player either. I just downloaded the workouts and burned them to cds using Windows Media Player. Super easy!
Jill
 
I find the elliptical trainer to be the MOST boring activity that I have ever done in my life. In fact, I have to call my Apartment Complex Security to drive me over to the gym OR otherwise I would never go. I do 50 min. - 3x a week. I listen to my iPod; there is a TV but nothing seems to break the monotony. So....what gets me thru each time, is thinking that this will all pay off - towards a Healthy Heart.

Elln
 
I'm another Cardio Coach fan. I use my spin bike and Nordic Track with the CDs (I do walk/run intervals outdoors also). I use a heartrate monitor and it's like a game to reach the goals that Coach Sean sets. The best thing is the feeling after I'm finished - happy, energized and peaceful. The Cardio Coach site has the best customer service that I've ever known.

Sandi
 
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