How to Mix Up Your Workout Regime
Doing the same workout over and again might be familiar but the reality is that you’re probably going to get bored at some point. Even if you have a preference for a particular sport, such as running, if you don’t mix things up occasionally, you won’t get the same benefits a mixed workout regime provides.
There are 3 things to focus on when you workout: stamina, strength and flexibility. If you only ever run, it’s likely that your stamina will be good but your strength and flexibility might suffer. But if you add in some different workouts, you can achieve all 3 goals.
Don’t Restrict Yourself
It’s easy to restrict your workout with various excuses. When you say, “I can’t because…” you are immediately ruling something out without really thinking. To get out of this damaging mindset, try to open yourself up to opportunities. So, instead of saying, “I can’t wrestle because I don’t have the right gear,” try shifting your perspective and thinking, “I could join a club and buy custom wrestling uniforms online.”
Limiting yourself by refusing to try things outside your comfort zone is never going to help you improve your fitness or give you a chance to learn something new. It might be a little intimidating to start with but the whole point of working out is to get fitter, so no matter where your starting point is, it’s important that you give yourself a real chance to achieve your goals.
Do the Fun Stuff
Any activity becomes a workout when you are pushing your body. This means that taking a high-energy dance class can be just as valuable as a running group and a yoga session can be just as good as swimming. Moving your muscles is what counts and if you’re having fun, you’re much more likely to keep it up!
If the stress of going to the gym is too much, it’s a really good idea to start getting into fitness at home. There are plenty of fun workouts you can do in the comfort of your living room and, with your own music and environment, you can do a lot of good stuff. In fact, as you gain a bit of confidence, the gym and other classes might appeal a bit more.
Take a Friend
Lots of people don’t have the motivation to workout regularly but there’s a really simple fix: take a friend. Having a friend to go to new classes or try different activities with can bolster your confidence and push you into doing lots of different things together.
One great idea is to challenge each other to try new things. So, for one season you might challenge your friend to do an activity that’s caught your eye and the next season, they can challenge you. By going together, you can increase your social time, have fun and encourage each other to keep going.
Mixing up your workout regime is good for your body, good for your motivation and brilliant for your social life – so what are you going to do next?