Tips for Multitasking while Exercising

(460 Words)
It is important to exercise on a regular schedule to reduce your risk of many dangerous conditions like hypertension and cardiovascular disease. With your hectic schedule, you may have trouble fitting in exercise with everything else you have to do.
However, you cannot just compress exercise into a shorter amount of time, because to get a cardiovascular benefit you need to exercise for a prolonged span of time. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can multitask while exercising to get other things done. A lot will depend on choosing the right exercises and activities to go with them.
With the right fitness routine, you can get work done while exercising. For instance, if you need to review a report, you can do so while you are on an exercise bike. Some exercise bikes even come with book holders. You can also read while on the bike. You might also be able to read while on an elliptical machine or another piece of equipment. Be very careful about the exercise machines with which you multitask. For instance, you do not want to fly back off of a treadmill because you are trying to read a book.
You can also read for enjoyment while on the bike. It could be a leisure book. This may help the time pass quickly and be more enjoyable. You could also read for a personal goal such as reading a self-help book.
Some people even find that they can write while they are on an exercise bike. You might be able to do school work or a task for your job.
You can purchase a program for your computer that lets you speak into a microphone and puts the words into a word processor file. Even if your hands are busy while you are exercising you might be able to speak and “write” a report for school or work.
Some people will even get a desk and a treadmill combination. You can buy one or make your own. It might be difficult to run so this might work with an activity like walking. Although this won’t replace cardiovascular exercise, it can be a great way to get in some physical activity when you would otherwise be sitting.
You can also catch up on your phone calls while you are exercising. You can get a phone that has a speakerphone or get something with a Bluetooth system so that you can talk while exercising.
Many people watch television while they exercise. It could be something entertaining like a prime time show or a video for work or school that can help you be productive.
There are many different ways to multitask while exercising. This can allow you to be productive and enjoy your exercising time more.