To dislike exercise?

[Differentbenefits]

I do an exercise class twice a week because I recognise its benefits but I absolutely hate it. I just find it so, so boring. The other women seem to genuinely enjoy it but I hate it.

I know the thread will fill up with telling me to do something I do enjoy but there isn’t anything. The only things I might enjoy are way too expensive and impractical to do regularly.

So - AIBU to dislike exercise? And is anyone else the same?

I notice most people out running are constantly looking at their watches so I think they all hate it too.

Because runners are checking their pace/heart rate/lap speed not because they are wondering how much longer they have to run for!

You're doing better than me OP as I hate exercise too and I don't do anything.
same! I hate exercise, I know I should do some... I can't afford classes or to join a gym. It's just so boring. Grew up in a dodgy area so it's instilled into me not to go out to deserted areas alone. Even though I now live somewhere relatively safe, going for a walk/run alone is stressful and not at all communing with nature to improve your mental health. That's without then having to contend with the physical issues like bits falling out for the next few days or never being quite sure how much you've leaked. In the winter it's freezing and the rest of the year you've itchy eyes and constant sneezing to contend with. Plus the exhaustion and pain for the rest of the week. I have never felt good after any kind of exercise.

You are definitely not BU! I've never been sporty, but went through a phase about 15 years ago where I genuinely started to love it. I went to the gym with my friends, enjoyed the banter with the trainer (it was a work gym so same trainer all the time), and really loved the results. But once I left that job....nope, back to hating it 😂

I'm also super lazy and don't have your motivation to do it anyway. There are only a few types of exercise I enjoy: swimming (which I never do because of the impact on my hair - I know, I know, stupid reason - I also very much dislike other people in pools, so finding a time when it's quiet is impossible), climbing (rarely go these days as hubs and I struggle to find the time) and kickboxing (not found a class I like nearby).

If I ever do manage to motivate myself, I tend to do HIIT workouts because they're over quickly.

But I recognise I do need to start moving more for my health. I just won't enjoy it...

There are and the point of this thread is I don’t find them enjoyable I DO them, but I reserve the right to dislike them!

I don't think many people find exercise 'interesting' to do. I do enjoy exercise but it isn't an interesting activity. I do it because it makes me feel good, it gives me a sense of achievment and most importantly, it allows me time to clear my head and refocus my brain. I'll often go through my day, any issues/problems I've recently had or a friend has had and daydream on a long-distance run for instance. A bit of mild discomfort from exercise seems to clarify thoughts. I'm a mum to young kids too, so exercise is precious, undisturbed time for my body and brain.

I love hillwalking that does give me a feeling of well-being but not endorphins and I feel happy after. I also occasionally sea swim in the summer but honestly it’s more bobbing about than swimming, that does give me endorphins but it’s not exercise.

regularly though it’s a slog. But I’m on the cusp of old lady so I do it.

Exercise 5 days out of 7 at 6am and I I never want to start but I love the feeling it gives me cot the whole day

For the whole day **

I only like exercise if it has a social element - long hikes with a friend and a flask of coffee, personal training so that I have someone to chat to during the rests between sets, group exercise classes in a lovely warm village hall on a dark night or parkruns for the camaraderie. Once I realised that and stopped trying to slog it by myself, my experience has greatly improved and I love it. I exercise three times a week. None of it by myself.

More sex?

I love it, plus I get to eat a lot to sustain my level of activity. Win win!

I would find going out to the same class on the same day each week repetitive and boring.
I can see why you feel the same about swimming in a pool too.

I walk - lots of different places to walk and I'm happy on my own, and I do water sports outside. I also do the occasional yoga class. I don't think I'd mind the odd game of badminton either.
.

I completely agree. Aerobics isn't for me. It doesn't feel like much of a workout (maybe I don't try hard enough) and I don't like the songs they use. If it was proper pop music I think I'd like it more.

Have you tried running Couchto5k? I wouldn't describe myself as a proper runner but it's the only thing I've stuck at. It definitely feels like a workout, it's free and once you can run 5k you can be out and back in half an hour (which is the commute time to and from a gym or class for me). Also can listen to your own tunes or a podcast.

No. I don't like it either.....at all.

It'll sound silly but I bought a VR headset just for the exercise games and I love it. I too find exercise really dull but I spend 30 mins a day getting a full aerobic workout either shooting robots and lasers from the sky or doing one of the virtual sports like table tennis or believe it or not, horse wrangling. It's been a definite game changer for me. The headset I bought was £300 but I figured I'd easily spend that in a year on exercise classes not to mention the petrol and effort to get there.

Fair enough. I lay in bed at 6am and think shall I fuck this off every morning but I don't, and I'm happier after, and I have started to enjoy pushing myself while I'm there.

If you never will I think thats quite sad because its very important to keep up with exercise. Hopefully one day you will start to enjoy it.

Would you sign up for something like tough mudder etc?

Everyone hates it, even though they will vehemently deny that this is the case. Runners are all aiming for PBs to get it over with faster. What everyone enjoys is when you stop doing it, that feels great. You can only fully appreciate how great it feels to not exercise by doing it and then stopping.

What is it that you like about them? Is it the being outdoors? It is the following a route and ticking it off? Is it the mastery of the skill? If you can work this out can you find a more practical version you can do regularly?

Is it the fact that it's an organised led exercise class? Can you do the exercises on your own either at a gym or at home. Not everyone is I to the Strength Through Joy, " all together now, after me gels, what ho!"
I hate it, endured it to pass out of BRNC Dartmouth and progress in the royal navy, but walks, with or without a dog, homework, gardening and tin lifting is me.

I only half agree with this. There are parts of exercising that I genuinely find enjoyable. Mostly around the moving and stretching of a body that's been still. But yeah, I spend a fair chunk of the class waiting for it to be over. But I'm still happier going. If I haven't been for a while I can feel how it's what I needed as soon as I'm back.

Me too, OP. I was going to my class on Sunday morning, and DH said have fun. I was like WTF I do it cos I need to, not because I want to.

I do love pilates but need to do other things too.

By choice, I would horse ride (my own horse would solve the problem completely), swim, and join a walking group.

I can't afford a horse or regular riding at £35ph.

I do swim a bit, but it's cold and time-consuming. I'm going today as I'm having a day off work

Walking groups are when I'm at work or weekends, which is the only time we are all home together, and I can see my elderly mum.

When I retire, I'm doing all of those things

I have a real aversion to being outside, i hate it so i would never just walk as exercise if i wasnt actually going anywhere. Last september my son bought me a treadmill for my birthday and it has changed my life. Headphones go on for 30 mins morning and evening and i walk to music or a podcast. Initially getting up and doing it is hard but i know i feel so much better afterwards.

I find just walking really dull. I actually wouldn’t mind a dog for this purpose but unfortunately DH is not a fan!

I'm just like you OP. I hate it. But my father had a stroke a few years back and my mother has high BP so I know I need to stay healthy so I do it. I go to classes at the gym (because I can't seem to motivate myself) and have spurts of going swimming, again at the gym because I'm realistic and there is no way I would go into the sea / river in the UK. My DH loves exercise and will run 10km regularly because he enjoys it. Then he plays tennis and goes to spinning class etc. We've been married over 20 years and I just watch him in awe and wish I could enjoy all that stuff. However, I do recognise that I feel better for having exercised so that kind of keeps me going though I do still drag myself to activities. So I don't have an answer for you but you are not alone!

Don't agree at all, I enjoy it at the time, not all of it but most, it's a time to switch off from life. Also never taken a pb in my life