Getting your 3-5 days of cardio in on top of strength training days can not only be hard on your schedule, but it can also be hard in your head. Boredom and loss of motivation are normally the reasons people stop working out. Here are a few tips to keep you motivated.
Take it Outside Even though it is freezing (and sometimes covered in snow) you can still take your workout outside. Bundle up and take your walk or run around your block and through your neighborhood. Running a set distance or route makes time fly by much faster than staring at the timer on your treadmill.
Change it up You don't have to just walk or run or get on the elliptical. Try mix and match different body weight exercises such as lunges, squats, skips, push-ups, punching the air, etc. Do each exercise for 30 seconds and then switch. Pick 10 exercises and run through them 3 times, this will give you a high-intensity 15 minute workout!
Bring a buddy Exercise is so much more fun with a friend. Meet them to go hiking or meet them at the gym. Just make sure you are working out more than chatting.
Take a class Almost every gym, martial arts center, kickboxing studio, pilates studio, or personal training studio will give out a free class. Take advantage of these to spice up your routine. Try boxing or karate or zumba. These are FREE and help give you a good workout and good ideas for future workouts.
Swap DVDs If you have been following the same tape day in and day out chances are you are bored of it, and even worse, your body does not find it challenging anymore. Swap your DVD with a friend so you both get new exercises and new challenges, and it again it is FREE.
Go Olympic Be inspired by our Olympic athletes and steal their routines. Go online and google your favorite athletes workout routine. More than likely you will find a ton of print and video footage guiding you through their workouts. It gets you to try new movements and strengthen you in different ways. What a great way to challenge your body!
Chance it Throw 20 different exercises in a bag and draw from the bag. What ever exercise you pick, do as many reps as you can and then draw a new exercise. Do as many exercises as you can. Doing this with a friend can be really fun and competitive.
Hope this inspires you to change up your routine.
