Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Most of us have a routine when we go to the gym. I know I do. My cardio of choice is running. I turn on my ipod and have at it for the next 30-60 minutes. I sprint as fast as I can at random intervals (usually influenced by the current song playing) and then I use the free weights. This has been my routine and when I think of 'working out', this is what I think of. Time to switch it up. Most of us get in a rut with our workouts, but we usually think a rut is when we get bored. Not necessarily true, a rut can be when that workout stops working for your body. When that happens it's time to surprise your body and switch up your workout. For me, that means climbing on the elliptical. The elliptical is the bane of my workout existence. I would rather run for hours on end on the treadmill than spend 30 minutes on the elliptical and that is not an exaggeration. I feel awkward, clumsy, uncoordinated, bored, and uninspired on the elliptical. Elliptical devotees, do not hate me. I just can't bond with this piece of equipment. The point of my rambling is that even though you are perfectly happy with what you are doing in the gym, your body is most likely used to this and it is not achieving the desired results anymore. For me, I hop on the elliptical and do some plyometrics when I need a jumpstart. For you, it could be hopping on the treadmill for a run and using free weights instead of the machines. Switch it up a couple times this week and see if there is a difference. I might not like the elliptical but I love the results I get from using it after a few straight months of running.

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