Exercising at the gym mostly consists of doing repetitive motions for periods that are longer than we’d like, right? And usually in a place where the décor is industrial. Walking on a treadmill or riding an elliptical bike involve pretending to be on a journey, except that the view doesn’t change – and it wasn’t much of a view to begin with!
Audiobooks are great for two things. First of all, a good workout book helps with motivation, and motivation isn’t always strong for many of us. Secondly, a well-read story transports us from our actual, mundane situation to somewhere in our mind. Seattle PI discusses the value of a good narrator, with a wide variety of suggestions (not all, it should be said, manly in taste):
Julia Sweeney (who I shall assume is not anyone’s dad) has a fine piece in the Guardian about audiobooks and the treadmill:
“I own a treadmill. My treadmill goal is simple: burn 500 calories. To do this, I need to be on the treadmill for one hour; 60 eternity-long minutes. And then I have to do it again and again, four or five times a week, every week.”
Her recommendation is audiobooks – in her case, about Keith Richards!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/01/treadmill-exercise-audiobooks
