Monday, February 11, 2008

Freshen Up Your Exercise Routine

Battling boredom in your workouts? If so, then try fresh up your exercise routine! Whether you exercise daily or weekly, it is important to make small changes in the duration, progression, and intensity of your exercise routine. By increasing the level of difficulty, changing your environment, modifying your activities or by simply taking time off, you can reunite your passion for exercise and gain a new prospective on your fitness program. Here are some helpful ideas for freshening up your routine.

Challenge Yourself. Our bodies adapt quickly to most exercises, causing a plateau in the benefits received by the activity. If you aren't sweating as much as you used to during your activities, it's time to add new challenges. To do this, try increasing the duration of your workouts, ithe weight or repetitions, adding another day to your workout schedule, and/or changing your activity by venturing out on new machines and aerobic classes. For best results, experts recommended you modify your workout about every two weeks. You will see how these new challenges will keep your motivation on track and the workouts more productive!

Change Your Scene. If you are tired of the health club scene, try moving your workouts outdoors. Find a partner and setup a weekly exercise schedule that includes walking, jogging, biking and other outdoor activities. Parks, schools and beaches are great places for both strength training and cardio activities. A workout surrounded by nature is sure to enlighten your senses and shine a new light on your routine!

Vary Your Activities. Cross training is increasingly becoming a popular training method in which different activities are performed on different days. Cross training helps battle boredom, increases your overall athleticism and encourages you to conquer new horizons!

Get Competitive. Try setting new goals such as finishing a 5K race, participating in a duathlon, biathlon, triathlon, golf or tennis tournament, adventure race or fitness cruise. Better yet, why not join a local running, walking or biking club? You will give your daily workouts more significance and increase motivation and adherence to your fitness program!

Take Time Off. Taking a few days off from exercise every month prevents over training and treats your body and mind to a well-deserved rest. Try scheduling "time off" periods every month. Pamper your body with a massage, hot bath and lots of rest. When you start your program again, you are sure to feel refreshed, rested and eager to pick up where you left off!

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