Are you skipping workout days more often than not lately? There are a few common reasons why so many of us struggle to form a long-lasting exercise habit or exercise routine. One of the biggest culprits is boredom.
There’s this long-prevailing idea that exercise isn’t meant to be fun. If you’ve heard the saying, “No pain, no gain,” you’re probably well aware of this unpleasant side of exercise culture.
The truth is that if you want to build an exercise habit that lasts, you should try different things and see what you actually enjoy! Sometimes a new workout routine is all you need to renew your motivation for fitness.
What are the effective ways that you can spice up your workout routine? Follow the below-listed tips and inspiration to refresh your exercise routine.
Change Your Tunes
Your workout playlist really can make our break your exercising experience. We all know what it feels like to get stuck on that one song that makes you feel so good and happy–until it doesn’t anymore. The same can happen with anyone workout tracklist.
If you haven’t updated your playlist in a few weeks, make a new one or add some new songs to the mix. Give different genres a test to see what makes your heartbeats and blood pumping.
Change Your View
Do you tend to reserve your exercise for your local gym? Does your daily workout routine consist of walking or running the same route again and again? If so, it’s time to change your view.
Do a quick search of parks and trails nearby. Ask your friends if they have a guest pass to a gym you’ve never used before. Even if you don’t change your exercise routine, giving it a go in a new spot can feel really refreshing.
Invest in Better Workout Clothes
When you first started exercising, you grabbed those old shorts and stained t-shirts from the back of your closet–and they were fine. One major factor of a habit-forming exercise routine is comfort. Clothing designed for exercise is going to be more comfortable than that old college sweatshirt.
Investing in one or two great pieces is a great place to start. Consider these awesome women joggers. Just looking at them makes you want to get moving!
Try a More Calming Routine
Back to that whole “no pain, no gain” thing. We’re not into it and we don’t think that you should be, either.
We’re certainly not knocking your high-intensity workout. However, you will like to do a more calming exercise routine at least once a week. If you’re trying to figure out how to get fit, you’ll find that yoga and swimming can be just as impactful as weight lifting and sprinting–and they’ll do wonders for your state of relaxation, too.
Find an Exercise Buddy
If you’re the kind of person who would rather socialize any day, maybe exercising alone is the real problem. In some cases, you can really benefit from the meditative quality of solo exercising. In others, all that solitude can be the culprit behind your boredom.
Talk to your friends and see if they’re interested in exercising with you a few times a week. Taking a brisk walk together or working the weight machines side by side can make a big difference. Not only does exercising with a friend increase the joy of your routine but it can also increase your accountability and motivation to keep going.
Take a Class
Some people want to give a certain type of exercise a try but they’re worried that they don’t know how or that they don’t have the proper fitness equipment. Start with some basic gym equipment like rubber hex dumbbells, weight plates and a resistance band. This is where classes at your local gym can come in handy.
Taking an exercise class can increase your safety and comfort while working out. The instructor is there to ensure that you’re getting the workout you wanted while also ensuring that you aren’t putting your body in any danger.
Plus, something like a weekly spin class won’t cost as much as a new stationary bike. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to go back or feel guilty for investing money in a piece of equipment you don’t enjoy using!
Build Your Exercise Into Your Day
Sometimes, you lose interest in your exercise routine not because it’s not enjoyable but because it’s cutting into the time you want to spend doing something else. We get it! After a long day at work, you might want to sit down and watch your favorite TV show, not jog for two miles.
If you can, try building your exercise into your day. When you’re traveling short distances, consider walking or riding your bike rather than driving. Increasing your daily activity throughout the day will do wonders for your health without requiring a complete shift in priorities.
Avoid the Rut
There are so many different types of exercise. Why not rotate between a few different routines throughout the week or month?
Maybe you do prefer your workout routine of choice but it doesn’t feel fun anymore. If this is the case, it’s time to let loose and get silly with it. Worry less about hitting every fitness goal or nailing every move and put more energy into making yourself smile during the process.
Refresh Your Motivation With a New Workout
Setting new goals and sticking to them isn’t always easy, especially when you’re getting bored with the routine. Use these tips to cultivate a new workout routine that refreshes your motivation and brings you joy. If you don’t love how your workout makes you feel, change it up and try again!
