5 Ways to Add More Excitement to Workouts
Posted on 14 September 2008
woodleywonderworks
Workouts can get boring at times the trick is to keep them fresh and new by adding exciting twists and variables to your fitness regime. I have compiled a few things that help keep me motivated and excited about working out.
Get Some New Music
Whether this entails burning a new CD with some of your favorite tracks or taking 10 minutes to sit down in iTunes and make yourself a great playlist its worth it. Music while exercising is one of the best things to keep you excited and fresh a new Mixtape can make an old workout seem fresh.
When I have some new music that I love it will serve as great motivation for runs or gym sessions. So keep digging around for new music that gets you going and will work as a tool for excitement during your next workout.
Some other good resources for good free workout mixes come from PodRunner who provide free workout mixes for your iPod. I also think some of the Nike+ mixes on iTunes are very good and well worth the couple of dollars they will cost you.
Change up your Workouts
Do something New today there are so many free resources online providing short variety based fitness solutions that can inspire and give ideas for you to do workouts with or without equipment.
CrossFit – A great resource their WOD’s are great. Short, Intense and Free. If you find the workouts too hard you can check out the BrandX Site which provides scaled versions for beginners.
20 Minute Fitness Solution – Besides its cool minimalist feel they provide simple no nonsense workouts daily that can be done in 20 minutes or under.
SimpleFit - I love this site and it inspired me when I first started a more simplified training program. They have great meal plans and diet advice as well as simple fitness programs for us all to follow.
New Gear
I know this one is one is a bit shallow but you will be shocked how buying a new pair of trainers will make your workouts far more exciting. A few months ago when I bought my Nike Free’s they served as great motivation for me to get out and hit the road and train more frequently as I was excited about utilizing my purchase. This goes for anything from new Trainers to a New iPod, Here are some of my Favourite minamalist Workout tools:
iPod Shuffle – Its small cheap and works flawlessly, I love using mine for the gym and all kinds of training. They are even great to keep in your pocket for long commutes, plus they have a built in clip which is great for sports as they cling on to any shorts or t-shirts.
Nike Frees - By far the most comfortable and Free feeling trainer I have ever tried. In my opinion they are the best thing for a wide variety of training like: Short Runs, Going to the Gym, Sprinting, CrossFit. Pretty reasonably prices as well.
Focus on How Good You Will Feel
Always try to remember how good working out makes you feel. A workout should always feel fun and enjoyable and leave you with a feeling of lightness and freshness. If you lack enthuisiasm to go for a workout just remember how good you feel not only about yourself after the workout, but how much better off your body is.
“I’m really into my running workout. Running really helps me clear my head and makes me feel good, especially when I’m stressed.” Katie Holmes
Each time we workout we release a surge of feel good chemicals and hormones which will make you feel great all day. Thats why I love to kick off the day with a workout.
Sign up for a Charity event
Running a 5K or doing a triathlon for charity is a great way to keep exercise fresh and fun. It allows you to help other by contributing to charity and help yourself by keeping fit. Every month each city worldwide holds countless sporting events for charity so get involved it will give you something to work towards and give your fitness regime a purpose!
Check out Leo from ZenHabits who is doing a Train For Humanity run.
Its Easy
Its so easy to add that extra bit of excitement to workouts keeping them fresh and feeling brand new. Sometimes it just takes a little something to give us that nudge hopefully the above tips can help you out…..
11 comments so far
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Comment by Lance
14 September 2008
I love this list! When we add excitement to our workouts, we’re much more likely to do them. And stick with them. I’m going to throw some new music on my MP3 player today – and then rock out as I work out this afternoon!
Comment by Methuselah - Pay Now Live Later
14 September 2008
Another great source of inspiration is Ross Enamait’s site – it’s a bit hardcore but loads of novel ways to workout without a gym and some great videos. This is one fit dude.
One other thought – taking a couple of days off is often a good way to get fired up again, even with the workout you were getting bored of. Sometimes it just takes a couple of days to get back the ‘hunger’ and you realise you had been hovering on the margins of overtraining which was possibly why the boredom struck.
Comment by Chris
14 September 2008
@ Methuselah: Love the idea of taking a few days off it really does leave us fresh and makes me feel things way more once I get back training. Ross Enamait’s blog is great I just checked it and he has some really cool posts up, definitely adding it to my RSS….
@ Lance: Glad the article helped, investing some time in a good playlist really pays off!!
Comment by Kat
14 September 2008
Yesterday the kids came running in the house when I was just getting ready to pop in a workout DVD and asked if I could kick the soccer ball around with them in our freshly cut yard. So I laced on my shoes, grabbed some extra equipment(medicine ball, jump rope) and played an impromptu game of “Don’t Stop Moving” where we kicked, threw, ran, grunted and had a blast. I wore the kids out and we all felt great. This is something I want to incorporate into my week regularly– great way to keep it fresh and at the same time bond w/ the kids!
Comment by warren
15 September 2008
I’m not sure if I’m slightly crazy here, but when I’m running and once the feel good buzz starts to flow I often envisage myself running against the Worlds best long distance runners. It always add’s to my performance as I end up going all out to beat the Kenyan infront of me. Some how I always seem to beat him too!!!
Coupled with some good tunes I find it really makes for an enjoyable run, rain or shine. First signs of madness? Maybe.
Comment by nodietneeded
15 September 2008
The biggest enemy of my workout is again my own mental block and it can be really effective at times. These are all great tips. Another trick I use, especially for running, is changing the scenery. I usually follow the same route but if I don’t feel motivated, I’ll follow some other route. This helps me get my mind off the running because an unfamiliar route requires more attention to the small obstacles on the way.
Comment by Chris
15 September 2008
@ Kat: that sounds awesome, some great improvisation on your behalf. Its always great to fit in a bit of fitness when playing with kids of just chilling with freinds and family in the park. Its so simple just bring along a frisbee or anything to get going! great tip.
@ Warren: Although its crazy it might just work, I will definitely do it next time I go for a run.
@ nodietneeded: I have the exact same thing, several ways to do a similar route. It allows me to keep things new while still taking me around the same time. A brand new route is also great fun.
Great tips from all, Thanks for the comments!
Comment by Dan
15 September 2008
This post is spot on…I also love Nike Frees, and highly recommend Vibram 5-Fingers (especially for trail/beach running).
I also love the simplefit site. I’ve got a door gym and have gotten great results from simple routines. I’m actually attempting to work my way though the simplefit workouts right now before I had back to the gym in a few months.
I had a blast on my workout this morning (even b4 reading your post), as I went for a run along the ocean, and threw in some plyometrics as I jumped around on barriers, benches, walls, etc. I’ve always been fascinated by parkour, and some of those youtube videos really get me pumped to get out there!
Comment by Helder
15 September 2008
Really cool tips, specially changing the workouts often, that’s my best trick to avoid feeling bored
Comment by Tom Parker
15 September 2008
Good list Chris. Ever since I got my Ipod it’s really helped me focus on my workouts. I also try to mix them up often by incorporating pyramid sets, heavy sessions, light sessions and more.
I’ve been meaning to start entering charity runs for some time now. I just have to make that final push and actually do it. I’m naturally quite good at distance running so I think this would be good for me.
Comment by Chris
16 September 2008
@ Dan: Great stuff in your comment, Vibram 5 fingers are also something I want to test out they look awesome…. And including some parkour in runs is a great idea, I try my best with it…. Amazing fun.
@ Tom: My advice is just go for it…. Find a local run/triathlon and sign up you will feel so good you did!