Even when I’m in the mood for an effective cardio workout, it’s hard to be motivated for a treadmill. Machines like that are great to get the job done. At the same time, they also don’t do very much for the mind. The repetitive motions are not stimulating at all.
A stationary bike, treadmill or elliptical will also give an effective cardio workout. Do I want to use them each time I need exercise? Nope. To be clear, I’m not against these machines. I use them all the time. Still, when I don’t want to, I have an entirely different strategy in place.
Netflix isn’t Enough to Make an Effective Cardio Workout
Yes, a lot of gyms and even home equipment comes with a screen for video. I’ve tried watching Netflix on my phone while using the treadmill a few times, too. Anything to beat the boredom, right? The issue is that when I’m done, I don’t feel motivated to use the machine. When the workout’s over, I’m grateful and I feel tired.
Music is fine for a short workout, but if I want to keep moving for a half hour, songs just aren’t stimulating enough for that length of time. I want something that will help me to get an effective cardio workout but that will also put me in a great mood and loosen me up overall. This really isn’t too much to ask. It means that unless I’m already feeling driven, my workout needs to take place off the machines.
It’s Easy to Get Cardio Exercises that Stimulate My Mind, Too
I usually find that getting outside for a walk, jog, or run is more than enough to be stimulating and give me an effective cardio workout. I try to change up the scenery depending on my mood. If it’s first thing in the morning, I’ll run around my neighborhood. After work, I’ll head to the waterfront to use the trails there. The breeze off the water helps me to stay cooler than I would on the asphalt. At lunch, I run stairs.
The simplicity of it is what makes it work. That combines perfectly with the fresh air and the fact that I can spend some time in a bit of nature. Just seeing trees and grass can make a huge difference to my mental wellbeing. Instead of feeling drained by my workouts in those cases, I feel energized, positive, and ready to take on the world.