Have you been sticking to your New Year’s resolution to get in shape? Are you a regular exerciser and have been for years? Congratulations, it is hard to be consistent. Slogging to the gym in bad weather, rushing through a workout so you can meet up with friends, taking that yoga class when you just want to go home and veg out on the couch. All of it takes commitment.
But when was the last time you switched up your fitness routine?
Some suggestions to get you started.
Are you a treadmill runner? Did you know you burn 10% more calories outside? Try taking one run a week outside. A great web site to help you calculate distance is mapmyrun.com.
If you do yoga, try Pilates. If you do Pilates, try yoga. Many local gyms offer both types of classes & pilates studios & yoga studios are frequently near each other. There are also a plethora of DVDs out there. Check out Collage Video, the grand daddy of fitness web sites. Hulu.com & iTunes have a few selections too.
If you’re a lifter throw in a circuit on the machines, no they are not just for old ladies! You body is used to travelling along the same paths when you lift weights. The circuit machines will force you into their patterns, thus giving your muscles a little wake up call. A circuit every other week would be a great way to review your form & keep your muscles guessing about what’s coming next.
If you started on the circuit machines and you’ve been doing them a while it’s time to graduate. Circuit machines can keep you safe while you’re building muscle and learning form. A free weight or kinesis workout will challenge your muscles in a whole new way and bring you to the next level. If you lift twice a week, switch up one workout with weights for two weeks and then if you like it, switch over to all free weights for a while. The variations here are endless.
Lift up your ab routine! Do your usual workout but sit on a disc to really increase the intensity. You’ll be amazed at how much harder this is. I do it with my clients all the time.
I just wanted to give you a few ideas to get you started. Please let me know what you think. I love feedback!
Lisa
Twitter
Great tips Lisa! Agreed, changing any habit is difficult, and more often than not, we all get in our ‘groove’ at the gym, and rarely venture outside our comfort zone. However, taking this leap (or rather, walking to the other side of the gym) to other routines can not only relieve workout boredom, but target muscle groups you’ve probably not worked in a long time.
And now to find out about that Yoga class I’ve been dreading going to….
I am blessed with something like really good DNA. I’m 44, 5’11″ and 180 and have been this size for 20 years. And other than shooting basketball, and swimming with the kids in the summer, I do not exercise. However, as time passes, I’ve noticed that in order for me to maintain anything like agility or muscle mass, I need to do something NOW to change things. I need a routine. And so, my wife has recruited me into her bikram yoga classes, and we’re integrating new/healthier foods in our diet. Between the two – I feel like I’ll be ready to take on healthier routines as I grow older. Thanks for this post.
Great article! I appreciate the links. http://www.twitter.com/avilbeckford
Sadly as we get older the struggle begins. The good news is you do have the good DNA and you’ve had a delay most of us don’t get! I hope you’re enjoying the yoga & the diet changes. Feel free to share any good recipes.
what a great article i included this article on my friend friday
This is a great post! I am a yoga practitioner, and also a certified pilates instructor. So, obviously, I favor precise muscle isolation/control-type exercise. I dread cardio, in any form, but I know I really need to start doing it. Maybe a little outdoor running should be my next goal. Thanks for the inspiration :)