Bored At The Gym? 5 Ways To Switch Up Your Fitness Routine

Are you bored with endless miles on the treadmill? Are you exhausted from counting reps and repeating the same work out time and time again? Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but always doing the same workout can be discouraging. Instead of heading to the gym once again, it might be time to try something new. Switching up your gym routine with other fitness activities has significant benefits including preventing over-use injuries and helping to break through weight-loss plateaus. Plus, trying a new form of exercise can help you regain your excitement for working out. If you are suffering from mental fatigue associated with your workout routine, try one of these fitness activities.

Go to an indoor rock-climbing gym: Don’t let the name fool you; a rock-climbing gym is no boring workout studio. Strapping into a harness and scaling a wall of handholds is a fun, family-friendly, activity for thrill-seekers. But, it is also a serious workout. This physically demanding activity works your upper body as you pull yourself up, and your legs as you balance and push upwards. Plus, rock-climbing is an efficient workout since it combines cardio and strength training. In addition to the physical benefits, rock climbing at a Climbing Gym Denver enhances problem-solving skills as you look for the best path to the top.

Play:  Have you ever watched kids play? They are constantly running, jumping, and burning off energy. Kids at play can work up a sweat and get a full workout, but they having fun because they aren’t counting reps or focusing on goals. Adults don’t usually engage in much play, but there are still important benefits of playing, including exercise, stress relief, and boosting creativity. Channel your inner child and substitute a little playtime for your usual workout. Try flying a kite, throwing a frisbee, hula-hooping, playing hopscotch, or jumping rope. Or, get a group of friends together for a game of laser tag, capture the flag, or a scavenger hunt. If you need a little more structure to your playtime, try a workout video game, which is available for nearly every gaming platform. As long as you are getting your heart rate up and working some muscles, it counts.

Join a sports league:  Whether you played basketball in high school or went to college on a soccer scholarship, it might be time to pick up the sport again. Even if you weren’t an athlete in high school or never played a team sport, it’s never too late to try something new. Playing in an adult sports league can be a real cardiovascular workout. Plus, if you want to keep up with the competition, you will be motivated to keep up your solo workouts between practices. Aside from the physical benefits, enrolling in an adult sports league comes with some other perks, such as a new social circle and a greater sense of self-confidence.

Dance: Do you need to playlist of your favorite tunes to inspire you to work out? Dancing might be the best way to spice up your fitness routine. Alone, or with a partner, dancing is a cardiovascular exercise that also improves balance and strength and challenges your brain. Even better, there are endless options when it comes to dancing. If you want a structured approach, sign up for ballet, hip-hop, or ballroom class. Or, simply go out for an evening on the dance floor. But, the simplest approach might be the most fun. Pull down the blinds, turn up the music, and have an at-home dance party to relieve frustrations while getting in your workout.

Go for a hike: For a workout that challenges your body while also letting you enjoy the outdoors, take up hiking. Hiking has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease while also strengthening your core and boosting your mood. Plus, you will get to see some local scenery. Start out slowly and move on to more intense hikes as your confidence and skills improve. By adding a few hills you can dramatically increase the amount of calories you burn by up to 40%.

Bonus fitness activity: Level up your fitness routine with cycling. It helps tone your quadriceps and hamstrings as you pedal. Cycling is also a good cardio exercise, especially if you challenge yourself with mountain biking. Start with the easiest trails to condition your body. Use a cycling power meter, so you can track your progress.