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