Stationary cardio (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes) is mind numbing.

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working out is just grinding irl

It is kind of mind numbing. Music does work for me, personally, but I enjoy doing it outside more. I've been jogging a bit more lately now that the weather's cooling off, and I plan doing it more regularly.
 
I feel ya bud. I don't really enjoy cardio on stationary machines much either. I found the best way for me to get through a bad cardio session is by playing video games. I don't like Hearthstone, but it works really well when doing cardio as its turn based, requires some thought, and the actions are pretty simplistic (you can easy do them on a bike, not sure about running though).

Nothing else really works for me.

Being with others helps as well. Have you thought about joining a spin class?
 
But do you feel you're pushing yourself?

I never feel I'm as intense on these machines.

I sometimes do HIIT on bikes, since they're relatively safe for doing that.

For cardio, I don't feel like I need to "be intense" or "push myself" all the time. I'll increase the resistance/speed/difficulty of the machine as I progress through my workout (in part to help replicate the effects of how more intense exercise gets tougher as it goes on), but generally if I'm doing steady-state cardio on a machine, it's a means to an end (calorie expenditure).
 
I feel ya bud. I don't really enjoy cardio on stationary machines much either. I found the best way for me to get through a bad cardio session is by playing video games. I don't like Hearthstone, but it works really well when doing cardio as its turn based, requires some thought, and the actions are pretty simplistic (you can easy do them on a bike, not sure about running though).

Nothing else really works for me.

Being with others helps as well. Have you thought about joining a spin class?
Yeah. Schedule doesn't work for me, though.
 
Music is all I need to keep occupied for my treadmill time.
Yup. When you start checking the display too often force yourself not to look until the next song is over and little stuff like that.
If you fall behind when looking at the display then use the beat to drive up your temp. Even slow songs can work just do a multiple.
 
My building has a concept2 rower and I'm glad for it. Don't mind ellipticals from time to time. With treadmills I struggle with the machine regulating my pace; I'm okay walking or sprinting but jogging never feels right.
 
I have an elliptical at home and just watch Netflix on my tablet while I'm on it. I actually prefer to watch what I consider lower tier shows, like police procedurals, while I work out. Currently working through season 6 of Bones.
 
Is there an upside/downside to doing bikes instead of running for cardio? Or is it pretty much the same (with a possible need to adjust how much time you're doing?)
 
I'm in the same situation as you OP. Started running back in May following one of those 0 to 5K programs and haven't stopped. I'm now doing between 10 to 13K, 4 times a week.

For the past month I started running on a treadmill at the gym and while I found it a bit odd at first, now I can do 1 hour on it no problem. I just let my mind wonder. Not sure if I can go past 15K on it, but by then I should be back outside when the spring comes.
 
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Now that's it's getting colder where, I've been doing some work on the treadmill. And man, it is mind numbing.

How cold are we talking? I've run through a few winters here in central new york where it routinely gets down to 0-10 degrees Fahrenheit . You get used to it. I actually prefer it to running in the summer when the temperature and humidity mean I'll be sweating profusely for 30 minutes after my run.

edit*

just saw your post where it is like 39 degrees. You can run in that.
 
I love the treadmill. I live in Wisconsin and I would never run in the winter. I hate the cold, I hate the ice, and I don't trust drivers. My gym is warm, and there's always a machine waiting for me.
 
Not a big substances person. Caffeine is really the only I partake in.

I'll probably create a high energy playlist on Spotify.

I feel it, I hate running for exercise its so boring, so then I start noticing my asthma , hurting knees, or my bordem. When I get high I just focus on the music and generally I run longer and faster. The right music does help a lot in my experience
 
Same here, love running outside. I was on the treadmill this morning, started out running outside before deciding it was too cold out and went in to where our apartment has a workout area to the treadmill. Instead of the outside world and the sense of adventure I find when running, I found myself staring at a screen projecting ESPN. Whee.
 
I enjoy doing stationary elliptical because I can shut my brain off and watch TV. Can't do the treadmill though. Once I started running outside, I couldn't go back to it.
 
Podcasts.

I've tried music, TV and audio books as well, but I always find myself either badly craving something else (for music) or massively annoyed with it (tv and audio books).
 
I run 3 miles per day on a treadmill at 8-8.5mph.

Going at a high speed keeps me engaged b/c I'd literally fall off if I wasn't paying attention. Additionally, watching TV helps.

I don't know. I don't run for fun. I run to not be a fat guy again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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