When was the last time which you felt that like the training
was going by in a flash? Exercising on the treadmill for five minutes feels
like an eternity if you're bored. It seems like most of us do: According to the
United States Department of Health and Human Services , less than 5% of adults
maintain the minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day . Exercise
doesn't have to be boring, however. On the contrary, if you're bored with
exercising, you're doing it wrong. Stick to these three proven strategies and
you will train without even realizing it.
3 WAYS TO HAVE MORE FUN WHILE EXERCISING
1. Exercise
your brain as well during the workout
Physical activity is good for the brain, especially memory
and reasoning . The whole thing also works in the other way around: Those who actively use
their brains during sport achieve better training results . As part of the
research project at the University of Florida , the scientists gave male and
female study participants 12 different cognitive tasks that they had to solve
while cycling. The tasks consisted of naming colors, saying “go” as soon as a
blue star appeared on the screen, listing long rows of numbers from the back
and doing arithmetic problems.
Aside from the most difficult tasks (math), participants
drove 25% faster - some even doubled their speed . And all without realizing
it. Tasks that are too difficult will slow you down. Find tasks that are easy,
entertaining and fun , such as a simple game on the mobile phone or an
interesting podcast (maybe a detective story that you can puzzles over?). It
shouldn't be too easy either - watching your favorite series doesn't count as
brain jogging.
2. Find a
training partner - or several
Are you one of these people who get up at 5 a.m. without any
problems, put on your running shoe and go for a run in the rain before work?
That is admirable, but rather rare. Many lack motivation . It's even harder to
persevere during training and not stop after a few minutes. Training with
someone solves both problems: firstly, it ensures that you show up at your
appointment and secondly, your partner motivates you to stay on the ball during
the workout.
When was the last time you felt like the training was going
by in a flash? Exercising on the treadmill for five minutes feels like an
eternity if you're bored. It seems like most of us do: According to the United
States Department of Health and Human Services , less than 5% of adults
maintain the minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity every day . Exercise
doesn't have to be boring, however. On the contrary, if you're bored with
exercising, you're doing it wrong. Stick to these three proven strategies and
you will train without even realizing it.
3. Turn up the
music
Costas Karageorghis, a world leader in music psychology at
Brunel University in London , sees music as a "legal performance-enhancing
drug" . To strengthen beats jogging and swim you faster and put on a bike
long distances behind you. Music is the ideal distraction - some training apps
can even be connected to your Spotify account and play songs whose beats match
your heart rate.
But it's about more than just choosing atmospheric songs and
lifting weights. To really take advantage of the performance-enhancing effects
of music and prevent any hint of boredom, choose songs that evoke memories and
emotions - songs that you really feel.
