Varying your workouts is best for overall physical health for many reasons. Professional athletes focus on their sport to excel at their craft. Most of us recreational athletes tend be creatures of habit and run or do yoga daily. It can be good for your mind, body and soul to try new workouts, and you will likely discover more activities you enjoy. Following are 4 reasons I believe changing up your workout routine is great for your health!
- Build All-over Body Strength: If you only perform one or two kinds of workout activities, it can
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lead to muscle weaknesses and imbalances in your body. A prime example is runners. Many runners run daily, because they love it and thrive on that “runner’s high”. While running is a great activity for cardiovascular health and developing strong leg muscles, repetitive running can increase your risk of injury. A repetitive strain injury is more likely to develop if you only do one activity. If you add in strength training and flexibility/balance workouts of some kind, you develop muscular strength throughout your body, prevent injury and build a strong heart. Mixing up your workout allow muscles to rest while you work other muscle groups. This resting of your muscles will also allow you to build up more muscle strength and firmness.
- Keep Workouts Fresh and Fun: If you find different exercises that you love, you will be more motivated to workout. For example, I love Body Pump and for a long time that is all I did. So, I only went to the gym three times/week for Body Pump. My instructor invited me to another class of hers, and I soon began trying more classes. After I began doing Pilates, Bootcamp, weight machines and occasionally running on the treadmill or eliptical, I started going routinely 5-6 times/week.
- Develop New Friendships/Workout Buddies: Trying new exercise classes, groups or even
Group Workout
community education courses helps you meet new people who have similar intersts as you. Being social is another aspect of good health, and having workout buddies also keeps you consistent. Pickleball has grown really popular, and is a great form of exercise that has also developed social relationships. I know many people who play in a league daily and have developed close friendships. If you are meeting someone for a workout or a run you will go! I had worked out with my workout buddy Sherry for years, doing Body Pump and meeting to run. Once we started attending other classes, we met a group of workout buddies who motivated and challenged us to work our hardest. It also motivated me to go to the gym when Sherry couldn’t go, because I had other friends to work out with. Trying Boootcamp is what led to us creating our Bootcamp Fit-N-Fun Game
- Keep Your Brain Healthy: Exercise is not only good for your muscles, it’s also good for your brain! Trying and learning new exercises can reduce your risk of cognitive decline. Just like playing games such as Sudoku can keep your brain sharp, so can trying new exercises. When I first tried Bootcamp, I was overwhelmed at learning all the different exercises. It took awhile to remember what an exercise was and how to do it properly (which is why we have video demonstrations with modifications of all or the exercises included in our game on our website). Being active benefits your brain increasing blood flow to the brain so it can work optimally to think, learn, problem solve and create emotional balance. Exercise is great for stabilizing the mood and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
If you are stuck in a rut of your exercise routine, I encourage you to try something new. Whether it’s a new class at your gym, a dance class, sport such as pickleball, a kickball league or even a workout video on You Tube, a new sport or exercise will be great for your physical and emotional health. And soon, we hope you will add Fit-N-Fun Bootcamp Edition and our other editions to your workout regime!
Hugs & Health – Michelle
*Disclaimer: Please always consult your doctor before beginning this or any exercise program.
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