Vary Your Exercise Routine and Ease Into It
I have to admit I’ve been in a rut at the gym lately. It used to be that I was wild about taking classes and I was the Spinning Queen. But I got burned out on spinning and started using the elliptical machines for my cardio workout. Now that’s gotten really old…and outrageously boring.
That’s why mixing up your routine is so important. It helps overcome the I’m-just-going-through-the-motions ennui that can set in at the gym. And it helps you achieve better overall results to feel healthy and strong.
Which was exactly my thinking when I decided to go to Step class on Sunday morning. I haven’t been to a step class in at least 2 years, probably 3. I thought it would fun to mix it up. Back in the 90s, I absolutely LOVED Step classes. I knew all the routines and it was fun and easy. But do anything 3 times a week more for several years, and of course you’ll get burned out.
So at 9:30 on Sunday morning, I happily bounced into class, set up the equipment (it’s a combination weight training and step class) and eagerly waited for the start of class, ready to recapture my Step glory from years past. Once I got going and remembered most of the steps (there were a few that were totally perplexing to me), I got into it. And truth be told, it was pretty tough, but at the end I had that fabulous feeling you get when you work out and push yourself and you’re nicely sweaty and pleasantly exhausted.
The only thing is that I forget how sore my calves would be. Sure, they felt great all day Sunday. You know how it is, it doesn’t kick in right away. It wasn’t until yesterday they started to hurt. And that was nothing compared to today! I swear I could barely get out of bed this morning.
So this is a cautionary tale about easing in slowly (next time I’ll remember to do the first few classes without the risers so my calves don’t hurt so much) even when we think we’re in good shape. Mixing it up is all about making exercise more interesting and inviting but in a way that won’t have us recovering for more days than we spent at the gym doing the workout! You can best bet I’ll go a little easy the next few days.
What’s your favorite way to mix things up and vary your routine for great results? How to you ensure that you’re in optimal health?
Mixing up your workout routine and making it fun is important. I find it hard to stay motivated and on track. But, doing something new, fun, or a bit adventurous is a great way to get back on track. I just have to remember to ease into it.
Yes Ms. Roxanne, as you can tell from my experience, easing into it is the way to go! LOL
I started working out recently I love mixing it up between the treadmill and elliptical machine. I work out with friend which help you stay motivate!
[...] through). Wendy Battles (check out her Healthy Endeavors blog and site) responded with a cautionary tale about what can happen when resolutions are pursued with a zeal that gets us a little ahead of [...]
I’ve been taking body sculpting (a/k/a pump) classes mixed with survivor classes. Luckily our instructors vary the routine and I try to catch at least 2 different instructors a week. Been working out consistently for about 20 years — weight lifting and classes — motivated 100% by ego and vanity.
Will you enjoy training at home alone? That is a question only you can answer; however, it is true that most people who get hooked on fitness continue to exercise on a regular basis for the rest of their lives. They not only enjoy working out, they appreciate the benefits of better health, and when you enjoy home gym workouts, you get many tangible and intangible returns.
Variation does not only make things less monotonous it also gives your system a necessary shock to propel you to the next level of gains.