Some fitness experts say that if you become bored by your current exercise routine, you will stop getting results, your current workout will soon physically hurt or leave you fatigued or the current routine will no longer seem difficult. It's easy to change your exercise routine--and your muscles will probably thank you for it. Muscles learn to become more efficient as you work out longer, so it's actually beneficial to change things up once in a while to keep your muscles guessing what you'll do next.
Step 1
Assess your current exercise routine and determine the areas you want to work on next. Running a few miles on a treadmill and rowing several miles on a rowing machine both offer good aerobic workouts, but they work different muscles. Switching your aerobic exercise vehicle will target new areas.
Step 2
Make changes at a moderate pace. You can switch up your routine all at once, but it makes it more difficult to see which changes are working best. If you want to work on spot toning areas, switch one or two exercises at a time to see if you are getting the desired results.
Step 3
Take your exercise outdoors. If you normally run indoors on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike, try running on a track or riding a bike outside. In his book "Fit or Fat," Covert Bailey reports that people who exercise outdoors burn more calories, most likely due to a combination of exercising with friends and the additional concentration that is needed to avoid outdoor obstacles. Outdoor cycling better utilizes the upper body than a workout on a stationary bike.
Step 4
Check your progress by taking body fat and weight measurements. Tracking progress will inspire you to continue and let you know if the changes you've made are achieving the desired results.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider working with a personal trainer to see if you are doing your current workout correctly. You may only need to improve your current workout to begin getting results again.
- Check with your health care provider if you are planning to make significant changes in your workout to ensure that you can handle the increased stress on your body.
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