We’re all human, and humans by nature are creatures of habit. We all like what we like and do what we know. In general, there’s nothing at all wrong with that. But with fitness, sometimes we need to mix things up a bit to scare off boredom or push through a plateau. That’s why it’s important to try a new workout now and again. That might sound like it’s a tad outside of your comfort zone, but the benefits that can come out of simply trying something new and different are well worth it. Here are five reasons to try a new workout.
1. Challenge yourself.
Have you been doing the same routine day in and day out? We hate to break it to you, but your body is getting used to it. Changing up your workout keeps your body on its toes, so to speak. By mixing in new elements to your routine, or by trying a new workout altogether, you can wake up your muscles and get them responding to all the hard work you’re putting in. If you typically run every day, try biking or weight lifting once a week. If your normal routine is a spin class, give Barre or a kettlebell class a try.
2. Break past a plateau.
As we mentioned above, your body gets accustomed to what you do regularly. That continual routine could actually stall the progress of your fitness goals. By trying a new workout, you will not only keep things interesting, but you’ll be able to push yourself past your current limits. If you’re stuck in a rut or can’t break past a plateau, add a new workout to the mix. Integrating some HIIT or interval training could give you just the jump you need to move forward with your goals.
3. Build underworked muscles.
Your muscles are forced to work differently when you try a new workout; they get worked in a way that they are not used to. You will work those muscles that you sort of forgot about, and will, in turn, help you exercise those forgotten muscle groups to improve your overall fitness.
4. Keep things fresh.
We all like our comfortable places and routines, but at the same time, doing the same ol’, same ol’ can sometimes get a little boring. By switching things up with a new workout, you’ll make your workout exciting again. By trying a new class or exercise, you’ll scare off boredom and challenge yourself harder than normal. And we all know what challenging yourself equates to…great results!
5. Meet new peeps.
Switching from the treadmill to the stationary bike might not mean meeting new people, but joining a new workout class or sport definitely will. Meeting people outside of your normal group is a fantastic way to expand your social circle. Did we mention it’s easy, too? Since you will already have something in common (your desire to be fit), you’ll have something to talk about. So you can skip the small talk and dive right into a great topic. You just never know who you’ll meet!
Life is short, so get on out there and have some fun! Try something new for a change. You might be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Scratch that. You WILL be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.
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