Exercise is extremely important and beneficial; this truth cannot be denied by anyone. However, some people find it to be so unbearably boring that they cannot motivate themselves to do it, regardless of the health benefits. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can modify your workout to make it more fun. In fact, fun exercise routines tend to be more effective, as they often encourage you to challenge yourself and achieve your goals.
Map It Out
Set a distance goal you would like to eventually achieve. Log onto the interactive tool at MapMyRun.com and map a running course in your city. Map the course using your distance goal. Then, take the course and break it down into smaller pieces. For example, if your ultimate goal is to run 10 miles, plot a 10-mile running course. Then, break the course down into smaller intervals of between 0.5 and 2 miles each. On the first day of training, begin at your starting point and complete the first interval. Continue running this same interval until you feel comfortable with the distance and feel ready to tackle a longer distance. Then, add the second interval to your workout. Continue slowly adding intervals until you have reached your distance goal.
Landmark Training
Avoid the treadmill or gym track for this running routine. Instead, move your run outdoors to the road, sidewalk or trail. This exercise routine should be flexible and lighthearted. As you move through your run, vary your speeds and the intensity of your run. To begin, choose a landmark and walk briskly until you reach it. Once you reach that landmark, choose another and jog towards it. Upon reaching that landmark, choose yet another and run quickly towards it. Continue choosing landmarks and varying your speed as you go. Do not fall into a regular pattern, such as walk, jog, run, repeat. Instead, challenge yourself by maintaining a random routine. Landmark options vary, depending on where you are running. Ideas include buildings, parked cars, picnic tables, stop signs or the house on the corner.
Treadmill Intervals
RunningTimes.com recommends "The Pyramid" workout for adding a bit of variation to a traditional treadmill workout. As always, begin with a 10-minute warm up to stretch the muscles and prepare the body for a run. For your first set, run at a steady pace for one minute each at 4, 5 and 6 percent incline. For the second set, run at a steady pace for one minute each at 5, 6 and 7 percent incline. Follow the same format for the third, fourth and fifth sets, using the following inclines: third set--6, 7 and 8 percent incline; fourth set -- 7, 6 and 5 percent incline; fifth set--6, 5 and 4 percent incline. Rest between each set by jogging slowly for two to three minutes on a flat surface.
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