Are you stuck in a rut? Do you do the same things day in and day out? Routines can be good, but they can also prevent you from reaching your full potential. Especially when it comes to fitness and health-related goals. If you perform the exact same exercises over a long period of time, eventually those exercises will stop being as effective. Plus, you may find yourself feeling sick and tired of doing the same old thing. The solution? Change up your exercise routine. A few simple alterations can give you the variety you crave without putting your body at risk.
Exercise Routine Idea: Take It Outdoors
Boredom is one serious workout killer. Maybe you have been doing the same thing over and over again for months. Warm up, cardio, strength, abs, cool down. Warm up, cardio, strength, abs, cool down. Every day, it is more of the same. Talk about a snooze! Chances are, if you’re bored with your workout or if it has started to feel monotonous, you aren’t going to see the results you want. Why? You’re likely not putting your full energy or intention into what you’re doing. When you become really bored with your workout, you will start to go through the motions simply so you can get back to your day. Unfortunately, this limits results. How can you avoid this? Change up your scenery. If you normally workout indoors, head outside for some stretches or take a brisk walk in nature. Go for a run on a track instead of a treadmill. Simply doing the same kinds of things in a different location can help re-focus your mind. Not to mention, there are many benefits to fall nature walks and spending time outdoors.
Add More Weight
Want results? Then it is important to challenge your body. After a while, your muscles will get used to being worked in a certain way. Especially if you have been following the same exercise routine for an extended period of time. That is why many fitness experts recommend that you mix it up. (Some suggest every four to six weeks and other suggest paying attention to your body. If the exercises become moderately easy to do…it might be time to increase the intensity or try something different.) Mixing it up doesn’t necessarily mean a whole new exercise routine, though. It is possible to keep the changes simple and still see results. For instance, try adding more weight to the movement. If you normally use a machine, slightly increase the weight so it is more of a challenge. If you use hand weights at home, increase the weight by 3 to 5 pounds. You can also add ankle or wrist weights to your workout for added intensity during cardio movements. In just a few short minutes, you will notice the difference.
Sign Up for a New Class
Another simple change you can make to your exercise routine is to sign up for a class. There are many potential benefits to this. Most notably, it will push you outside of your comfort zone a little bit. Why is this so important? It is all too easy to fall into a fitness rut. Once you have something that feels easy and comfortable….it makes sense to want to stick to that. However, comfortable won’t necessarily increase your strength. Trying something new or a little bit different can help you find other ways to work up a sweat. Choose a spinning class, aerobics, Pilates, or anything else you have been curious about. If you don’t end up liking the class, that’s okay! You can always sign up for something different next time. It’s all about getting creative and making exercise fun. Not eager to head to the gym? Not a problem. These days, there are many online fitness classes to try. Zoom yoga sessions and virtual personal training sessions make it possible to do something new and exciting from the comfort of your home.
Make a New Workout Playlist
Music and exercise go hand in hand. The right songs can help intensify a workout and even motivate you to push further. Some people like to create their own exercise routine playlists while others prefer to listen to the radio. However you choose to listen to music, remember that variety is key. After a while, you may start to get sick of the songs on your workout playlist. Or they may not be the right tempo for the kind of exercises you are doing. Maybe they don’t motivate you quite as much. Or you find your mind wandering while they are on. When you listen to the same songs every day (or on a regular basis), they can stop giving you that extra burst of energy you need to really push yourself further. One solution? Have a few different playlists ready and waiting. That way, whenever you find yourself feeling bored or unfocused…you can choose something different and make it through your workout with a smile. Another option is to use streaming services to create a playlist with lots of upbeat songs that you like. Or you can always listen to a workout-specific playlist online. Find what works for you!
It’s time to break out of that workout rut. A few small changes to your exercise routine can make you feel motivated and even excited to work up a sweat. You will become stronger each and every time you make those necessary tweaks. Don’t settle for a so-so workout. You deserve to feel your absolute best. So, give your workout routine a little TLC this season.
