5 Ways to Switch Up Your Workout for the Best Results

I am sure you have heard this expression before, “If you do the same thing every day and expect a different result you are only fooling yourself.” The same applies when it comes to your exercise routine. When you consistently perform the same routine over and over again, your body adapts and you deprive yourself of further advancements. We call this Stagnation. It is also one of the many reasons why people stop exercising after a while. So, what can you do to diversify your routine and challenge your body for a new you? Here are 5 top ways to swithc it up for the best results:

Use different equipment. Whether you are at home or at the gym, the simple act of changing or including a piece of equipment in your exercise routine can stimulate and challenge your body. For example, if you normally do sit ups with no equipment include a medicine ball or a dumbbell and hold it straight up. Now, you are not only engaging your core but your shoulders and back as well.  

Modify your intensity. Our bodies are like creatures of habit. If they are not stimulated consistently they adapt. Once that happens we get bored and see no results. The image of a person who spends countless hours on a treadmill is a perfect example. Vary your approach every time you step on the spinning belt by adjusting your speed, elevation and duration of the program. That is why most machines these days offer pre-set programs for you to choose. The more intense the program, the more calories you will burn.

Train with a different partner. Every person is unique. Each of us brings a new perspective to what we do. Exercising with a different partner can excite your approach and elevate your game. In business, they call it “restructuring”. In training, they call it a “stimulus”. Whatever you want to call it, the more excitement and changes you bring to your game the better your results will be.

Take your training outdoors: There is nothing more enjoyable than taking your fitness program outdoors. When springtime is in the air, we tend to enjoy our workouts more frequently because of the connection we have with Mother Nature. Furthermore, studies have shown that when people are in a group setting (i.e. boot camp or a fitness event) the effort to push themselves beyond their “comfort zone” drastically increases.

Stretch to improve your flexibility: Although this is something we should incorporate automatically after every workout, many individuals still avoid stretching after every training session. The importance of a good stretch is to improve flexibility and range of motion.  Commit to a good stretching routine and your body will thank you for many more years to come.

Eraldo Maglara, NSCA-CPT. He received his certifications from the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI), as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
 He is the author of the The Real Fountain of Youth: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Productive Longevity, a book on healthy aging.  Eraldo has appeared on FOX, NBC, ABC, and many other outlets. He is the host of the TV show “Healthy Lifestyle with Eraldo.’