New Exercises

New Exercises

4 Ideas for Switching Up Your Workouts

While starting a fitness program may be easy, actually doing the work week after week is more difficult. Tedium is also extremely common, where you start getting bored of your workout routine. The key is to find something you enjoy. You’re more likely to stick with exercises that you find fun. If you realize that you aren’t enjoying your current exercise program, switch things up.

Just remember to get the right overall mix of aerobic and strength training in your activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends aiming for 150 minutes of moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) a week, 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running) or a mix of the two. You should also do muscle-strengthening activities two or more days a week that work all your major muscle groups.

Looking to switch things up? Here are 4 ideas:

Trying out different types of exercises helps to beat workout boredom, keep your brain healthy, get excited about exercise again, and even to meet new workout partners. Physically, it can also help to avoid progress plateaus, prevent injuries and reversibility, and prevents mental fatigue.

• Try tai chi. This is a safe and gentle form of exercise that’s a great way to improve balance. It is also great at reducing stress and anxiety.

• Explore high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT involves periods of high-intensity exercise. Performing these exercises at least twice a week may increase stamina and strength in less time than other programs, but its high intensity can take a toll on the body, so don’t overdo it.

• Take up an active new hobby. Whether it’s hiking, biking or joining an adult kickball league, choose an active hobby that fits your personality and that you’ll enjoy. If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, you could consider dance workouts that you can follow on YouTube or even Just Dance.

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• Build your own workout routine. The American Heart Association has a great, 10- minute home workout you can try at heart.org/movefor10. They also have a helpful infographic about creating a circuit home workout. Building your own specialized workout routine will help make you feel more in charge of your life, and you can personalize it to your own specific needs and goals. Plus, it is great to factor in your work schedule and social life too!

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