Hi Sue, Yep the boredom factor can be a key issue with X training in the gym. I do find people watching a good way to kill time when using the X trainer or bike, and you can’t beat watching the sport or latest TV if your gym is pretty funky with screens and plug in headphone sockets.
I laugh at a few a see reading the paper in the morning on the static bike………just how hard are they really working!
To be honest though, I use good inspirational music and my mind. It seems to be the only way and I am definitely not on the X trainer mentally when working hard. I have taken my mind to a race, competition or motivational moment.
Keep the workout interesting as well. I know I often say 45 min steady state or relaxed but you could still play around with the efforts a little or vary the kit used. Provided the general theme for the session was achieved we are fine.
So keep up the good work and be creative with your thinking, use of kit and how you view other gym members……..it will lead to a few smiles I promise.
The guy who ramped up the speed on the treadmill last week just because a young lady in lycra got onto the machine next to him was very amusing. Especially when his towel unwrapped itself from the safety bar and then hooked itself around his legs…………..leaving him flat on his face on the floor having conveyor belted himself to instant stardom!

I’ve only used a power plate once-luckily it was in the golf club gym on a Sunday evening so nobody else was in there watching me reading the attached manual and trying to match my position with the little pictures in the book! Managed about 3 mins before legs felt like jelly. No idea if they are any good but they are fun to use!

Hi

I have not done much xtraining but I’d be interested to know what exercises people recommend. I did a gentle swim on saturday, and will probably swim again with the family maybe once a week. What exercises could I do at home that would benefit my running? Pressups, situps etc….? Also does anyone recommend lifting weights and if so how much? Thanks,
Matt

I am with Alan on this. I am currently doing lots of X training and have gone back to my old rowing sessions on the Concept machines. Great bits of kit and I can get good high Heart Rates in certain sessions. 12 x 1 minute hard really does feel like 400s @ 5k pace re heart rate and a 5k hard row feels similar to a 20 min tempo almost……………..definitely a great all round body workout and no impact.
Just check your technique is good before you hit this machine hard though. Ask a PT or instructor if not sure.

I do lots of biking now but I’m afraid I know nothing about bikes. But what I would say is that it is much more pleasurable when you get on a bike that is right for you – I recently stopped using my mountain bike on the road and inherited my husband’s old road bike. I have literally taken 10 mins off my ride to work (which is not so good for training purposes actually – but is less of a slog!).
I also noticed that after 3-4 weeks I suddenly became ‘bike fit’ – a change in the muscles I guess.
Good luck!

Matt – it really depends on what you would be using your bike for in the main. I am not sure a fixie is the best bike to use for cross trainign specifically. I use a fixie for commuting and cycling around London doing errands becuase it is so quicka nd simple to get about on. If I am riding specifically as a part of my trainign though I use a road bike. I would not wantot cycle much more than 8-10 miles on my fixie and depending on the goc ratio you have it can be quite limiting. I love my road bike though (Planet X) – what you choose to get depends partly on what money you have to spend. Mountain bikes and hybrids will generally be a bit cheaper than a decent road bike. You can get some realyl good second hand bikes but yuo need to be aware of what to look for in terms of wear and tear to make sure that you get a good deal (and make sure the bike is not stolen!).