Seeking informative but riveting programs to watch during exercise
May 25, 2024 9:17 AM Subscribe
Due to a running-related injury, I recently switched to riding a stationary bike. I've been watching shows like "The Walking Dead" while I ride, but I want to switch to something that will be informative and intellectually stimulating while also being suspenseful. Or, if not exactly suspenseful, then at least interesting enough to shift my focus away from the unpleasantness of exercising.
I'm not interested in politics or current events. My curiosity lies with science, technology, and nature, though I'd consider something like a documentary about the Titanic disaster or about other historical events. I'm seeking TV shows or documentaries, not podcasts or audio books. And nothing too involved that would require me to pay close attention (so no college lectures about quantum physics).
I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max, though I'd consider subscribing to other services if necessary.
I'm not interested in politics or current events. My curiosity lies with science, technology, and nature, though I'd consider something like a documentary about the Titanic disaster or about other historical events. I'm seeking TV shows or documentaries, not podcasts or audio books. And nothing too involved that would require me to pay close attention (so no college lectures about quantum physics).
I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and HBO Max, though I'd consider subscribing to other services if necessary.
Time Team sucks me in. And there are scenes of other people doing hard physical work, if that helps.
posted by clew at 11:05 AM on May 25 [1 favorite]
posted by clew at 11:05 AM on May 25 [1 favorite]
You might see if you have access to Kanopy through your library- they have a ton of documentaries, including PBS ones that can be weirdly hard to find on streaming.
posted by MadamM at 11:28 AM on May 25 [2 favorites]
posted by MadamM at 11:28 AM on May 25 [2 favorites]
Fall of Civilizations Paul Cooper's website has really lovely one to two hour documentaries on world civilizations that is constructed with the art and poetry of the topic. There's an images version and a podcast version, and I have really enjoyed the images version; the difference is noted in the thumbnail. I've learned so much about different societies from the past. The stories do have a lot of conflict between different societies, and it's very nostalgic at the end of each historical account as the society draws to a close. No sugar coating of societies dominating each other. But the images themselves are quite beautiful and Cooper's narrative ability is exquisite.
posted by effluvia at 12:42 PM on May 25 [1 favorite]
posted by effluvia at 12:42 PM on May 25 [1 favorite]
Mayday: Air Disasters has full episodes on YouTube. I find aviation safety fascinating enough to overcome the cheesy reenactments.
posted by shock muppet at 4:07 PM on May 25
posted by shock muppet at 4:07 PM on May 25
The Expanse on Prime.
BoJack Horseman on Netflix.
The Good Place on Netflix.
All of enough episodes to keep you interested for several miles.
posted by SPrintF at 4:32 PM on May 25 [2 favorites]
BoJack Horseman on Netflix.
The Good Place on Netflix.
All of enough episodes to keep you interested for several miles.
posted by SPrintF at 4:32 PM on May 25 [2 favorites]
I totally love history and enjoyed the BBC series with Ruth Goodman, but they may not be gripping enough for you. I would start with Wartime Farm, as that is probably the one with the most drama.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:37 AM on May 26 [1 favorite]
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:37 AM on May 26 [1 favorite]
This Youtube video of the Titanic Sinking entirely in the form of a text feed would require you to be able to read the messages on screen while you cycled. It's a complete transcript of the telegraph messages sent out that night, with the sound of the key strokes. I am sure that isn't what you are expecting and reading the text may not be practical, but it is extremely gripping and heartbreaking if you can.
It starts with the routine messages from the passengers "I'll be dining with you in spirit tonight, Love Girl" and "Weather fine, hope to see you soon" and then devolves into the appalling. Before long messages from other ships trying to find out what is happening are coming in and if you are like me it will probably get almost too intense.
"Attention all stations, Titanic sending CQD 41.44 North, 50.24 West, require assistance."
CQD was the distress call used before SOS became the standard.
"Titanic to Carpathia. Come at once. We have stuck a berg. It's a CQD old man."
"Carpathia to Titanic: Shall I tell my captain? Do you require assistance?"
"Yes, come at once."
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:50 AM on May 26
It starts with the routine messages from the passengers "I'll be dining with you in spirit tonight, Love Girl" and "Weather fine, hope to see you soon" and then devolves into the appalling. Before long messages from other ships trying to find out what is happening are coming in and if you are like me it will probably get almost too intense.
"Attention all stations, Titanic sending CQD 41.44 North, 50.24 West, require assistance."
CQD was the distress call used before SOS became the standard.
"Titanic to Carpathia. Come at once. We have stuck a berg. It's a CQD old man."
"Carpathia to Titanic: Shall I tell my captain? Do you require assistance?"
"Yes, come at once."
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:50 AM on May 26
And then there is The World at War - a very dated 26 part BBC series on World War Two, which is so old that they interviews a lot of participants while their memories were fresh, on all sides. Serving officers are middle aged describing what they saw and did as younger men. It was produced in 1973. The fact that it was produced so much closer in time to the war means that it has a real immediacy that a contemporary documentary would not.
It's also an incredibly good documentary, thorough, insightful and full of impact.
posted by Jane the Brown at 7:06 AM on May 26 [2 favorites]
It's also an incredibly good documentary, thorough, insightful and full of impact.
posted by Jane the Brown at 7:06 AM on May 26 [2 favorites]
I get Hoopla via my library, and then use that to access Curiosity Stream. Documentaries galore!
My favorite series on there was probably Ancient Murder Mysteries, in which a scientist and a homicide detective look at historical evidence and try to figure out who killed archaeological figures such as the Tollund Man. So satisfying and geeky.
There's a similar series, the title of which escapes me, in which historical figures such as Elizabeth I are "autopsied" to discuss their health and the medical practices of the time.
posted by champers at 1:12 AM on May 27 [1 favorite]
My favorite series on there was probably Ancient Murder Mysteries, in which a scientist and a homicide detective look at historical evidence and try to figure out who killed archaeological figures such as the Tollund Man. So satisfying and geeky.
There's a similar series, the title of which escapes me, in which historical figures such as Elizabeth I are "autopsied" to discuss their health and the medical practices of the time.
posted by champers at 1:12 AM on May 27 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Answering my own question, I've found that the YouTube channel "Up and Atom" is fantastic. The host is good at explaining difficult concepts in physics and math, and she has a very engaging speaking style. I've been watching these videos lately while I ride the stationary bike, and they definitely hold my interest.
posted by alex1965 at 6:09 PM on June 8 [1 favorite]
posted by alex1965 at 6:09 PM on June 8 [1 favorite]
ahh I just found this question searching for something similar
youtube is great for this, some faves are "PBS Eons" and "PBS Spacetime" (though you need to be decent at physics, I flail but my engineer husband loves them) also "Great Art Explained" is an excellent show if you like art history (and if you don't, give it one shot anyways)
posted by euphoria066 at 12:33 PM on June 15 [1 favorite]
youtube is great for this, some faves are "PBS Eons" and "PBS Spacetime" (though you need to be decent at physics, I flail but my engineer husband loves them) also "Great Art Explained" is an excellent show if you like art history (and if you don't, give it one shot anyways)
posted by euphoria066 at 12:33 PM on June 15 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Before I mark this question as "resolved", I'd like to add three more YouTubers whose sciency/mathy videos are fantastic:
Tibees (Toby Hendy)
Looking Glass Universe (Mithuna Yoganathan)
Angela Collier
I'm sure that there are many others, but I've found "Up and Atom", along with the above three, to be perfect for keeping me entertained and informed while I ride my exercise bike.
posted by alex1965 at 6:58 AM on June 25 [1 favorite]
Tibees (Toby Hendy)
Looking Glass Universe (Mithuna Yoganathan)
Angela Collier
I'm sure that there are many others, but I've found "Up and Atom", along with the above three, to be perfect for keeping me entertained and informed while I ride my exercise bike.
posted by alex1965 at 6:58 AM on June 25 [1 favorite]
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posted by noloveforned at 9:30 AM on May 25 [1 favorite]