Keeping up with an exercise routine is no easy task. It involves discipline and consistency to sculpt and shape your body. Thankfully, there are many ways to switch up your fitness center activities. Adding new variety and challenges will help you stay on track and meet your goals. Here’s what you should know. 

A Guide to Transforming Your Workouts

Why Should You Switch Up Your Routine?

With enough repetition, you can get accustomed to anything—exercise included. Routine workouts can become tedious instead of rewarding. You also run the risk of reaching a workout performance plateau, burning fewer calories and toning less muscle mass as your body adapts to regular activity levels. You’ll gain many advantages by introducing new challenges. Researchers found that those who modified their workouts every two weeks were more inclined to follow through with their exercise programs than those with rigid regimens. Varying workout intensity, duration, and frequency keeps your body guessing. 

How Do You Alternate Workouts?

• Sign Up for Classes: Fitness centers provide fun and rigorous group or individual exercise programs. From pilates to cycling, workouts vary in intensity and resistance training by targeting specific areas of the body to stimulate. These settings push you out of your fitness comfort zone and into a new world of physical ability you may not have discovered on your own. Instructors incorporate different moves and sequences, so no two classes are the same. 

• Boost the Intensity: If you find yourself sweating and panting less after a fitness center session, it may be time to ramp up your workout. Turn light, steady jogs on the treadmill into sprint intervals, or tack on more weights to your barbell. Increase the reps you perform for each exercise to see and feel the results for your workout again. Make sure you do so gradually to avoid burning yourself out. Always have a spotter help you as you work your way up the rack.

• Ease Out on Exercise: Alternatively, you may want to take a break and let your body rest for a few days. Intensive training is good to keep your body in peak physical condition, but it may dull the effectiveness of the workout if done in excess. On off days, try low-intensity activities, like yoga, to restore and relax your body. Allowing your body time to recuperate reduces the risk of muscle strains and tears that could keep you out of the gym longer.

Finding the right exercises and routines are crucial in your fitness journey. Luckily, trainers at LifeSport Athletic Club in Libertyville, IL, are dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Their facilities offer an assortment of athletic activities to suit any skill level. From premium group classes to cardio-focused workouts, their fitness centers have what you need to refine your physique and push your physical abilities to new heights. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (847) 362-5553.