10 Tips to Fight Exercise Boredom

If you constantly feel like you could be doing something better, something more fun, while you workout, you're right. Exercise should not be something you only do because you feel you have to; exercise should be an expression of who you are and, more importantly, fun.

World's Gym
Instead of an annual pass to the gym why not an annual pass to a theme park? If you're wasting money on a gym membership you never use, try putting that money into real adventures that appeal to you. Save for adventure vacations, the beach, theme parks, any trip that gets you moving.

New Play-out Equipment
Think about those single seater chain swings they have at parks. Now think of gripping those chains tight above your head and pumping your legs to gain more altitude. Slide your hands up and down the chain in time with the swings and you have a legitimate exercise going. Remember, those new monkey bars, the trampoline, and the swing are part of your "obstacle course", not "private playground", should the neighbors ask.

Video Games
Currently, Wii Fit for the Nintendo Wii is the king of games that will get your heart rate up. If you don't have a Wii, a version of Dance Dance Revolution is available for just about every console on the market.

Make Small Deposits
Extra movement is like spare change; it can add up. So, dance to one song, take an extra flight of stairs, walk for five minutes before lunch; take any extra opportunity you can to move more.

Don't Settle for Less with Lessons
Don't look for an exercise class; look for an activity you love or want to try. Rock climbing, traditional or indoor, dance lessons, tae kwon do, fencing, tennis, do some research and see what you like. Many places will let you audit a class or two at a reduced cost or even for free before you make a commitment.

Exercise and Media I
For the first fifteen to thirty minutes at your television, computer, video game console, or on your phone, exercise. You can do any basic exercise while watching television and march in place for any of the other listed activities. If you want to continue after the fifteen or thirty minutes are up, do, but don't force yourself to continue if you don't want to. Once you've met your goal, stop before you get bored to minimize your chance of burn out.

Exercise and Media II
When you're toning a specific area, and need to do exercises targeted to that muscle group, this is an ideal time to catch up on your favorite shows. Use a Netflix account just for your workout television series and movies; check out audio books from the library; review your music collection. Get a recorder and dictate that novel you've been meaning to write or work through that experimental chicken curry recipe aloud. Do something to keep your mind occupied before it starts whining.

Lasso a Friend
Rope a friend into exercising with you. You can be dignified and walk around the neighborhood while discussing current events, or stage a water balloon fight. Throw a frisbee, but try to make it fly just out of each others reach for a challenge.

Take Up Geocaching
Depending on the difficulty and location of the hunt, you can get a work out finding a cache. If your local park has a geocache hidden in it, combine the visit with a nature hike.

Change It Up
Stop exercise burnout before it starts. When you begin getting bored with your activities, don't make the monkey bars a chore; take a break from them and try something new. Look for activities that provide the same workout benefits. After a while, you'll probably want to come back to the original activity, but don't feel like you have to if you're still enjoying your new activity; just remember it should you get bored with the new one.