How to Make Workouts Less Boring

For people who work out every day or several times a week, it is easy to fall into an exercise rut as many exercisers tend to continue doing the same routines that have previously produced results. The problem with this is that exercising then becomes boring and something to be dreaded. Keeping workouts fresh, fun and challenging prevents workout boredom and maximizes the odds that your routine will continue to improve your health and physique.

Instructions

• 1

  Mix up your exercise routine. Performing the same exercises in the same order and at the same place each and every time you work out can cause you to dread exercising because familiarity breeds boredom. Each day you exercise, choose a different activity. For example, if you run outdoors on Monday, go to a yoga class at the gym on Tuesday. Introducing new and challenging exercises into your gym time engages you not only mentally, but physically. New routines prevent plateauing, which is one reason why you may not be seeing results, and forces you to use different or less conditioned muscles.

• 2

  Get a workout buddy. For many people, exercise seems like one more item to check off on their daily to-do list rather than an activity to be enjoyed. Make exercising fun by incorporating social time into your workouts. Invite a friend to go for a hike or take a gym class with you. Knowing that you have someone to share the experience with will cause you to look forward to your exercise routine. For added fun, enter a friendly competition with your workout buddy, complete with a prize for the winner. Not only will you enjoy one another's company, but you will be helping to improve each other's health.

• 3

  Increase the intensity of your workout. Exercises that are performed at a leisurely pace or at a low weight can be boring because your body does not feel challenged. A vigorous workout keeps you engaged in the activity by requiring you to focus on completing the routine. Adding weight and increasing an incline are two ways to raise intensity. Intervals, which are spurts of high-intensity exercises such as a two-minute sprint or 30 push-ups in a minute, followed by a brief resting period (30 seconds to one minute), have been proven to produce quick results.