I love to workout at home. It is more “relaxed” that way. There is no waiting for equipment, having to hurry up so someone else can use the equipment, possibly getting sick from some infectious person that decided they needed to workout, having to listen to annoying people chatter etc.
Another thing I love about working out from home is the ability to turn on whatever I want for entertainment! It really helps to make my workouts successful.
If you want to know what I have used and currently use as entertainment during my exercise sessions, then read on!
Before college- magazines and music
When I first started working out on a weekly basis, I would read magazines on the cardio machines. This meant that I was not getting the best cardio work in that I could. I mean, who can read when they are doing high intensity intervals?
At that point in time, I thought steady state cardio was great for my fitness. It was extremely boring though so that is why I read magazines while doing it.
I was so naive back then!
When it came to doing weightlifting at the gym, there was only one TV and quite a few other people there. This meant that I would most likely not get a choice on what to turn on. I was at the mercy of what others wanted which always seemed to be some awful program.
Because of not liking what other people picked on the TV, I decided to just wear my Ipod on my arm and listen to a mix of songs while lifting weights.
College days-Nothing!
During my time at college, I loved going to the gym.
I was somehow able to get through my workouts with absolutely no entertainment. There was no television, no music that would be playing, no magazines and I did not feel like bringing my Ipod with me.
I got in some awesome workouts despite not having the extra boost of motivation from TV and music.
After college
When I graduated and moved back home, I started going back to the same local gym I had gone to before.
This time I was armed with the knowledge that having a great workout meant that I would not be able to read on the cardio machine I was on. Because of this, I did tough cardio sessions-keeping them short but effective.
For the weightlifting at the gym, I was used to having no entertainment. That meant I just did whatever I was going to do and left. No music and no hoping I would get a turn with the TV.
Fast forward to now
I have been working out 100% at home since I got my first house in 2012. I ended my gym membership and bought Powerblock weights (they go up to 50 pounds per hand) that I still use.
For my very first workout in my first home, I put on a show that I liked at that time (I think it was Dog The Bounty Hunter, haha!). It was really fun and I have been putting on shows during my workouts ever since!
I do not care what any one has to say about having the TV on while working out. It motivates me and I still get quality exercise sessions in each week.
When I close the door to my bedroom each night I exercise, it is my special time. I get to do something that is healthy for my body while watching things that make me happy. It is my definition of self-care.
So here is what I have been turning on lately:
- Monk (Amazon Prime)- This was one of my favorite shows a few years ago and I decided to start watching it again.
- Paternity Court (Roku channel)- The trashiness keeps me going.
- Golden Girls (Hulu)- I love this feel-good show!
- Working Moms (Netflix)- Super fun show!
- X-Files- Has been my favorite show since I was seven!
I will have to look through the streaming services and compile a list of other shows to watch soon!
Exercising is fun to me
Saying that might sound really weird to some, but it is true. I have figured out what makes it tolerable for me.
It is important for everyone to find ways to make exercise something they can do each week! You do not have to necessarily be excited about your workouts but at least be able to get through them and be consistent.
What do you watch/listen to when you workout?
Thanks for reading!
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