How to Mix Up Your Exercise Routine
By Sarah Dray
While golf can provide a good workout, mixing up your exercise routine and incorporating other activities can be not only fun, but also a new challenge. The body thrives on new experiences, and muscles develop better when pushed to new limits with new exercises. When you're ready to put the clubs down and try something different, there are many options to get you started.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Exercise indoors, at the local gym, a few times a week. When there, don't restrict yourself to a single machine. Either switch between the treadmill and the cross trainer on different days, or do 15 to 20 minutes on each. Not only will it be less boring this way, but you will also engage different muscles.
Head outside on the other days. Depending on your local weather, you may try hiking, biking or cross-country skiing. Running outdoors is usually more demanding than doing it on a treadmill, because you have no shock absorption and you are battling the elements (heat, humidity, wind), so it may be a good idea to switch between indoor and outdoor running.
Add water activities during the summer. Working out in water has less impact on the joints, so it's ideal for older people or those recovering from an injury. Aside from swimming, you can also try water aerobics or even water polo. If you would rather stay dry, kayaking and rowing are great upper-body workouts.
Take a class. Oftentimes, working on your own means that you will only push your body to a certain limit. On the other hand, joining an aerobics or step class will give you a chance to try something different, challenge different muscles and push harder.
Switch your routine around. If you're used to exercising in the morning, try an evening workout. If you always take a yoga class on the weekends, try spinning. New challenges will not only present your muscles with new challenges, but will also keep you interested and push away boredom.
Tips & Warnings
When adding new activities to your routine, start slow and see how your body responds. It may take awhile for you to gain proficiency at doing something new and learn the skills needed to do it well without injuring yourself.
About The Author
Sarah Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications, including "Woman's Day," "Marie Claire," "Adirondack Life" and "Self." She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.
Photo Credits
Photo courtesy of Annette Sepal
