It has been said that variety is the spice of life. Variety is also important when it comes to workouts. Here’s why you should switch it up.
Chase the thrill of something new
When it comes right down to it doing the same thing the same way all the time is just plain boring. Varying your workout adds interest and excitement that may just keep you in the game. That’s because if you are bored you may be less likely to workout at all or even worse you could lapse into autopilot. Moving mindlessly on the treadmill without really challenging yourself to greater heights won’t help you achieve your personal best.
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All your muscles want to be challenged. Varying your workouts gives you more of an opportunity to engage more muscle groups in different ways. Ultimately, mixing it up helps to build overall fitness and build stamina. If you have ever tried a triathlon you know that swimming, running and biking each challenge athletes differently. Even if you are an excellent runner you may be challenged by swimming or biking. Varying your workouts can reduce that challenge and improve your performance across types of exercise.
Boost benefits
The human body quickly adapts to routine. That means with time – usually within six to eight weeks – your body will not have to work as hard to finish your daily run. You will have reached a plateau. To boost exercise outcomes you will have to add variety. To do this, add intervals. Alternate periods of higher intensity (you should not be able to pass the talk test) with lower intensity. You can also stop and perform exercises such as jumping jacks, push-ups, mountain climbers or squats to keep the level of interest and calorie burning high.
Avoid injury
Using the same muscle groups in the same way for every workout can lead to overuse injuries. Varying your workout can help you avoid these injuries and even strengthen muscles that help your workout overall. For example, adding yoga for core strength can help you become a better runner.
Find something new to love
One of the best things about being active is discovering the power in your own body. Varying your workout helps you get to know more about what your body can do and what feels good. The more you know the more you grow and the more likely you are to commit to lifelong fitness habits. Turns out that variety isn’t just the spice of life it is also the spice of fitness life. Stay active!
