If you’re setting new fitness goals this year, you may want to make changes in your workout routines. Keeping things fresh is always a good thing.
What things do you keep?
Once you’ve set your goals, go through your workout routines. Review your strength training, cardio exercise, flexibility, mobility, etc. Identify the things that are working for you. You’re getting results and you like doing them. These are the things you keep. If something is too easy or you’re bored with it then its hard to justify keeping it in your routine. If you don’t think you’re getting results with something than change it.
For example, its easy to fall into the rut of doing the same weight training routine week in and week out. You know the weights you’re using for each exercise and how each exercise feels. You know how to adjust the exercises for good days and bad days. Changing up this kind of weight training routine makes the body adapt to the change. Stimulating this change gets you better results than sticking with the same old tired routine.
Add or Reduce Strength and Cardio
Some people do primarily strength training and add cardio as an aside. Other people focus on cardio training and add some weight training in. Your ratio of strength to cardio training can vary. It depends on your goals and what you are trying to achieve. You can try varying the amount of strength and cardio training you’re doing and see what kind of results you get.
Try New Exercises
One of the quickest and easiest ways to change things up is to try new exercises. Go online and search for exercises. Search for “core” exercises for example. Instead of doing planks every workout you can alternate them with walking lunges or mountain climbers. Keep track of new exercises you’ve tried and keep the exercises you like. It may take some time to find out if you really like an exercise. Some you fall in love with quickly and others take time to grow on you.
Increase and Decrease Intensity, Duration and Frequency
Frequency is how often you exercise. Duration is how long you exercise. Intensity is how hard you exercise. You can adjust these variables to keep your workouts fresh and compelling. If you have more time on Saturday and Sunday, you can do longer workouts with more workload. Shorten up your weekday workouts so you manage your time better. Try changing from 3 days a week in the gym to 4 days a week. Increase the weight, sets and reps of your weight training to increase the intensity.
Work Out with Friends
Work out buddies can be a great addition to your fitness routine. Working out with someone you know, and trust can give a big lift to your fitness regimen. Encouragement and camaraderie go a long way.
