Thinking while exercising

A friend and former cyclist has said the reason she quit cycling is boredom. She finds it boring cycling for hours on end with nothing to think about. The idea for this blog came from her. In fact, I have had the same quandary at times. But there are upsides.

In addition to the fantastic health benefits, exercise is a wonderful time to think, to practice mindfulness, to socialize, to escape distraction. But first, what kind of exercise are we talking about? Cycling and running are similar activities in that your mind is free to wander while your legs are moving without thinking. This can be a time to ponder a problem or brainstorm ideas for an upcoming challenge or project. I have come up with some of my best ideas while out pedalling my bike alone. It is also a good time for reflection, thinking about something you are working on, or learning, or teaching.

Cycling and running can also be a great time to practice meditation. Zen meditation is expansive and calls on us to use all our senses to notice what is happening in our environment: sights, sounds, smells, tactile sensations. Practicing mindfulness while exercising, particularly outdoors, allows you to improve  your awareness skills.

If I am riding with a friend or in a group, large or small, there is time to socialize and take your mind of the passing kilometers. You must also pay attention to the wheel in front of you as well as what is happening ahead and behind. Things happen in the blink of an eye, so you can't stop paying attention.

I also use music to help pass the time. When I am riding indoors, music is absolutely essential. I also find it to be a great motivator when the intensity is high (during intervals) or when the workout is long.  I also love listening to music while I do a strength training, less as a distraction, more to inspire the best effort. That being said, I have noticed during an intense kettlebell workout, my mind can become so engaged in what I am doing, I don’t even notice the music.

Weight lifting is different. While it doesn’t require absolute focus, it does require attention to form and the weight being lifted. I focus on the muscle being worked. However, lifting weights can sometimes get boring which is one reason I prefer kettlebells. There is an endless variety of exercises and workouts that you can put together to achieve a variety of goals.

Because of their technical nature, kettlebells require your full attention. During a workout, your mind must be completely focused on what you doing in each moment. If your mind wanders, you could make a mistake and run the risk of injuring yourself or your neighbour.

Likewise with clubbells. They are a notch up from kettlebells in terms of technical performance and require your full attention. If you are doing high volume, it can be easy for the mind to wander off, but the form will reflect any lapse in focus.

TRX, or suspension training requires focus because the movements involve many joints and muscle groups. But the pace is not as high as it is during a kettlebell workout as the movements are done more slowly. Like kettlebells, suspension training offers a lot of variety of exercises as well, keeping things interesting and challenging.

Regardless of your choice of exercise, being present and mindful during practice is part of the game, joining the mental with the physical, and being grateful that you are able to workout hard and push yourself to new limits.