Everyone who exercises regularly, and lives a healthy lifestyle, will go through this. It’s very easy to get caught up in picking the same exercises, and the same cardio machines, and sticking with them. Most of this stems from “fear of the unknown”, or trying out machines or areas of the gym that you are simply not comfortable with.
If you decide to be brave and step out of your comfort zone, the rewards can be outstanding. Not only will you have more results from your workouts, but you can actually have some fun doing it! Here are 7 ways to make your workouts more fun and interesting.
#1: Interval workouts are intense but fun
An interval workout is a fun and intense way to change up your workout. You can even start this workout without stepping to far out of your comfort zone.
Pick a machine or movement you are comfortable with, and do 2 to 3 sets of 10-15 reps. Then, move along to what will be your “cardio interval”. This should usually be about a 1 to 3 minute interval, depending on what you choose. Gradual increase of the interval intensity can be done if you want to go hard! An example of this workout would be:
- Lat pulldown – 2 sets of 15 repetitions
- Treadmill – 2 min jog at 5.5 speed
- Chest press – 2 sets of 15 repetitions
- Treadmill – 2 min jog at 6.0
- Squat press – 2 sets of 15 repetitions
- Jump rope – 1 min
- Leg press – 2 sets of 15 repetitions
- Jump rope – 1 min 30 sec.
- Dumbbell bicep curl – 2 sets of 15 repetitions
- Treadmill – 2min jog at 6.2 speed
#2: Super sets
This is a good way to not only make your workouts more interesting, but burn more fat and build muscle!
A super set workout is basically picking two exercises, and doing them back to back. The part that will make it more interesting, is deciding what body parts to super set.
There are three basic types of super set workouts. You can super set the same body parts. For example, a chest press, super set with a push up, or a lat pulldown, super set with a seated row. You can also super set antagonistic, or opposite muscle groups. An example of this would be a chest press, super set with a lat pulldown.
Finally, another great super set workout is known as the peripheral heart action, or PHA workout. This is a super set workout, using an upper and lower body part. This workout will actually benefit you the most cardiovascular wise, because it cracks down on rest time, being you are not wearing out one area of the body.
An example of this would be a lat pulldown, super set with squats. Example workouts are below.
Super set (same muscle group)
- Chest press/push ups -2 sets of 15
- Lat pulldown/seated row-2 sets of 15
- Dumbbell shoulder press-2 sets of 15
- Leg press/step up to balance-2 sets of 15
- Fitball crunch 2 sets of 15/plank 2 sets of 30 seconds
Super set (opposite muscle group)
- Chest press/lat pulldown-2 sets of 15
- Dumbell front raise/rear delt machine- 2 sets of 15
- Hack squat/leg curl-2 sets of 15
- Bicep curl/tricep ext.-2 sets of 15
- Fitball crunch/lower back ext.-2 sets of 15
Super set (PHA)
- Chest press/squats-2 sets of 15
- Seated row/leg curl-2 sets of 15
- Shoulder press/leg press-2 sets of 15
- Bicep curl/step up to balance-2 sets of 15
- Tricep pushdown/hip abductor- 2 sets of 15
#3: Sick of counting? Try timed sets
Everyone gets sick of counting. This is a great way to make your workouts more interesting, and give your body a shock that will help you see new results with your workouts!
Take any of the workouts above, and simply time your sets instead of counting. Start with 30 second sets, and work your way up to a minute. This will burn your muscles up like crazy, and build your endurance! Try it out, you won’t be disappointed.
#4: Music gets you in the zone
Maybe it’s not your actual workout that’s bothering you, its what your doing between your sets. Getting in “the zone” is a real thing when it comes to working out. You might find yourself sitting on a machine, people watching. Maybe you’re staring at the clock figuring out how long you’ve been working out.
Whatever it is, it sounds like you’re not in the zone. Music is the best way to beat this. Something with an upbeat tempo, or even an electric guitar is a good way to go. It will put you in the zone and make your workouts much more fun.
Most smartphones have apps like Pandora, or you can buy music right from itunes or Google playstore.
#5: Take a class
If you are working out at a health club, most of them have some kind of class schedule. This is a great way to simply get someone else to push you, instead of yourself.
You can learn new exercises safely with a fitness professional, and you can even make some new friends! Shoot for a yoga or pilates class to offset some of your weight lifting and cardio workouts.
#6: Go outside
Looking at the treadmill can sometimes make you want leave the gym…. so do it! Instead of going inside, take advantage of the beautiful fall weather, which happens to be the best time of the year to run outdoors.
The fresh air and natural scenery is a great change from the gym scene. You will feel invigorated, and not so drained when it comes time to return to the gym.
#7: Get your partner involved
The couple that trains together, stays together. See if your partner wants to take that run outside, or join the gym with you. it’s easier to stay motivated if you have someone to push you, or if you push each other.
You can also stay inside and… have sex! Yes that’s right, sex is a great cardiovascular workout and releases endorphins just like exercise. So use your partner any way that you can!
Working out can get stagnate for anyone, but always take a fresh approach and try new things. You can definitely make your workout more fun than you think!
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