Variety is the spice of your Exercise Programming

Variety is the spice of life. Variety is also a great way to spice up your exercise program. If you are in a rut exercise wise, consider variety. By adding variety to your workout program, you are increasing the chances of you staying in an exercise program. Here is what I mean.

By working the same muscle groups in the same range of motion every time you work out, you are eventually going to plateau in your fitness program. Worse, you may eventually have a decline in your enthusiasm for working out due to a slowed or overall lack of results.

Here are few ways you can change the variety of your workout program without too much trouble.

1. Change your mode of exercise - If you like to run on a treadmill , hop on an exercise bike. If you like to ride an indoor cycling bike, try an elliptical trainer. If you consistently do only cardiovascular fitness, try a strength training program. Consult a fitness professional at your gym or community center for instruction on these different machines so you can understand how they work and what they do for your body.

2. Change your exercise goals - If you are a runner and run 3 miles every time you run, you can change your workout program by changing the intensity of your workout. Try running 2 miles at a faster pace. Or, try running 5 miles at a much slower pace than you are used to. Or, run one mile with high intensity followed by one mile of running up hills followed by one mile of running at a comfortable pace. You will see results the next time you run your standard 3 miles.

3. Change your duration of exercise - If your workout runs about 30 minutes at a comfortable intensity, try a 20 minute workout at a higher pace. Or, try a less intense workout for 40 minutes. Vary your times every workout or so. By varying intensities, you are working your muscle at different intensities, a method that is highly recommended by fitness industry professionals. According to www.mayoclinic.com, “You'll get the most from your workouts if you're exercising at the proper exercise intensity for your health and fitness goals. If you're not feeling any exertion or your heart rate is too low, pick up the pace. If you're worried that you're pushing yourself too hard or your heart rate is too high, back off a bit.”

You should always consult a certified fitness professional when engaging in a change in your exercise program.

Noel P. Roby is a 20 year fitness expert with national certifications in exercise and fitness programs. He is the author of countless articles on fitness featured in newspapers and blogs nationally. For questions, he can be reached at theiceagents@gmail.com.