https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 07 May 2026 21:23:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908171 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 12:38:11 +0000 lady baltimore 2908171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I am using cardio equipment, I listen to podcasts and read trash magazines from the library. Maybe podcast would be better than audiobooks since it doesn't matter as much if you miss a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908154 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 19:34:20 +0000 karenbme 2908154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>fully wireless headphones are such a game changer! Second @nwm’s recommendation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908133 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 16:28:38 +0000 nwm 2908133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably fits into the category of things you can’t focus on, but I pick true crime podcasts and only listen while working out. Really helps make longer runs fly by! Also I find making a workout mix can really help motivate me especially when I first make it and get excited to listen. </p> <p>Related, I just invested in my first nice pair of cordless headphones that actually fit my small ears and it has been game changing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908131 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 14:42:42 +0000 jhd 2908131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: good idea to make it something you can only watch at the gym as motivation to get there! i need all the motivation help i can get! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908125 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 11:29:08 +0000 erinbaderin 2908125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On the elliptical, I usually watch a show on my phone - something that doesn’t take too much focus. I find if I can make a show only for the gym it helps motivate me to go - right now I’m watching izombie. On the treadmill I can only listen to music, I have a gym playlist of songs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908124 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 11:21:58 +0000 karenbme 2908124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love to watch nature documentaries on the treadmill, usually with subtitles so if I miss what the narrator is saying I can read it. The visuals are inspiring (for me at least) and mostly I can follow the action without knowing exactly what’s going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908123 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 09:49:56 +0000 jhd 2908123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been using the elliptical lately too. I have been listening to podcasts and I usually look out the window or read headlines on the TV. I usually use one of the pre-set variety workouts. I should experiment with music also. I have also watched shows on my phone.<br /> @JennyPenny: I love the Great British Baking Show and watched some of the most recent episodes on the elliptical too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908122 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 07:46:42 +0000 Becky 2908122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there are TVs mounted in the gym, I listen to a running playlist (I just make my own with songs that pump me up) and will kind of stare at those. </p> <p>Now that I’m pregnant and slower I can watch a show. It has to be a comedy show though because that kind of keeps me going. I can occasionally listen to a podcast but it has to be something upbeat (whereas if I’m running outside I can listen to NPR podcasts and true crime if I’m not doing a fast workout).</p> <p>I ran track and XC in college and when I was injured I spent a TON of time on the elliptical. I was able to read during the slower parts of my workout, and then in the fast parts I would focus at one spot on the wall. Something that really helped keep me going was choosing one of the preprogrammed workouts that had lots of hills. You really can’t do anything but listen to music and focus on the workout when you’re pushing that hard. </p> <p>I read a study years ago while I was injured and not able to run outside that showed reading or looking at magazines while on a cardio machine will actually slow you down (in the sense that you lose focus and may not push as hard as you would if you were listening to music).</p> <p>Covering the screen/monitor helps me too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908121 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 07:40:37 +0000 JennyPenny 2908121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’ve been watching Great British Baking Show :) It’s definitely not something you have to pay attention to but I find it quite enjoyable. I only walk at my typical pace on the treadmill though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908120 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 07:33:51 +0000 LadyDi 2908120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can’t listen to music, I get so bored. Maybe try stand up comedy or a comedy podcast? Something that doesn’t require a ton of concentration? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908118 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 07:13:08 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2908118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A billion years ago when we owned a treadmill and went to the gym, I always turned the tv to sports channels (in Canada we have TSN, Sportsnet...ESPN I guess in the US?) and just mindlessly watch highlights or whatever games were on. Would also do Food network. I would blast music through headphones and watch those. I occasionally did podcasts when running outside but only long slow runs because I wouldn’t pay attention. At least with podcasts you can semi listen and if your mind drifts it’s not like a book where you need to go back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-while-on-the-treadmill-elliptical-etc#post-2908115 Sat, 11 Jan 2020 03:17:21 +0000 Hypatia 2908115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have started going to the gym more regularly, spending an hour on the elliptical. I really want to listen to audiobooks, but I can’t concentrate once my heart rate rises and I’m breathing hard. </p> <p>I tried watching a movie, but I had the same problem. Maybe I need to pick something you don’t need to pay close attention to?</p> <p>Listening to music is okay, I guess. I didn’t realize that moderate exercise (something more intense than walking, etc.) would limit me. Or do I need to try again and hope I get used to it? What do you do to distract yourself at the gym? </p>