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Fresh Perspectives – Mixing Up your Workout Keeps Exercise Interesting
If you have a set exercise regime and you are frustrated with it or are starting to feel as though you want to skip
it more often than you feel actively like doing it, it might be time to come up with a new exercise calendar.
Anyone who keeps one schedule for working out is bound to, sooner or later, fall into the feeling that the exercise
routine is a stale one. If you find yourself feeling that way at some points, you should consider an exercise
makeover. If you are not feeling frustrated or bored with your routine, but your routine is a definite routine, you
might consider mixing up your workouts anyway in order to avoid developing that feeling at some point in the
future.
Beyond Psychology
The above-mentioned reason for alternating one’s workouts is only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to keeping
things interesting for you psychologically, your muscles will also benefit from a little variety in your workout
calendar. When your body always experiences the same workout, your body becomes accustomed to the movements and the
stress level. You might have already heard that interval training on the treadmill is more effective than keeping a
steady pace for a half hour. It’s for the same reason that a varied workout calendar produces better muscular
results than a routine workout that never changes.
In addition to helping work the largest percentage of muscle groups, there is also the benefit to the heart that
comes from varying one’s stress level and activities inducing that stress level. Interval training is good for the
heart; alternating between low levels of cardiovascular intensity and higher levels of intensity will give your
heart the best benefit. Whether you’re working out for weight loss or for cardiovascular health, varying your
workout will produce positive results.
Types of Exercise
An ideal workout regimen will include some cardiovascular exercise and some exercise that is weight-bearing and
working muscles to fatigue. It’s for this reason that the ideal workout regime includes some running or similar
cardiovascular activity as well as some more muscular work such as weight lifting. Another great option for slower
types of exercise that really work muscles are something like ballet or yoga. With today’s selection of DVD
workouts, it is possible to do the New York City Ballet workout on one day, yoga the next and go running on the
third day. Those who stick with the same workout day after day are bound to ‘master’ the program and it will become
no longer challenging. In addition, the person generally gets bored with it.
Exercise Boredom
The options are, quite literally, endless. If you have kids, organize a game of tag. You’re sure to have a blast
with your kids and not only get some exercise yourself, but your kids will also get some exercise too. If you enjoy
walking, add walks to your daily routine. Whether you walk to work or take your dog out for walks, walking is one
of the best ways to get exercise. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and don’t drive around parking lots
looking for the closest possible parking spot. When you are in two shops five blocks from each other, walk between
them and then walk back to your car. Not only will you get more exercise, you might even enjoy seeing the sights
around you instead of fighting traffic.
One thing is sure, and that’s that exercise boredom is very real, but there are also very real ways to beat it.
Follow your gut when it comes to knowing which activities will wow you and which ones will bore you. Make the ones
you engage in a long one so that you can alternate activities to keep every day a little different from
yesterday.
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