Workout Diversity Activities: How to Vary Your Routine

diversity activities

Does Workout Diversity Matter?

Are your workouts becoming stagnant? It’s time to add some workout diversity to get those gains you’ve been missing! Workout diversity is a great thing!

Let’s add some workout diversity

You may have finally hit your stride with the latest workout trend. Feeling strong and in control are powerful sensations that drive you to carry on with any workout regimen.

However, you can easily reach a plateau in about a month’s time.

You’ll no longer feel exhilarated by the workout because you’re simply used to it. Take a close look at these ideas that can build more variety into your routines. The best athletes in the world have to switch up their workouts from time to time. Here are some ideas to help you switch it up and utilize some of your less-used muscles.

Use the Computer on the Machine

Workout Diversity: Ideas to Add Variety to Your RoutineIt’s true that most people prefer those machines at the gym as their main strategy to get in shape. Treadmills, stair climbers, and other products offer you a steady workout, but without much variation.

However, that variation can come from the included computer that you often bypass at the beginning of a workout. Familiarize yourself with the onboard computer so you can add some spice to your workout. Add in hills, extra resistance, and other features with each day.

Changing up the routine will also make the workout more interesting in your mind. If you can, do some intervals as well. Some machines will come with this function already. If not, simply make use of your stopwatch and time yourself in five or ten-minute increments of fast pace paired with double the time of rest or minimal cardio.

Add a Resistance Component

Whether you jog, walk, or attend an aerobics class, all of these activities can be enhanced with some resistance. Hold dumbbells as you walk, or add weights to your ankles.

Varying the resistance is important because your muscles get a taste of a different sensation each time. As your muscles struggle with the resistance, they’re slowly becoming stronger.

Start with a low-value weight, such as three pounds, so you can avoid any injuries during your varied routine. Slowly add more weight to counter that upcoming plateau. Use resistance as part of your strength training as well. Dumbbells and weights are great, but resistance bands can give you just as much as a workout and help you to utilize different parts of your body.

Train with a Friend

Variety is inevitable when you train with a friend. This person can help you quicken a pace on a walk, or point out a trail that hasn’t been taken before. Ideally, pick a friend who is slightly more advanced in their fitness compared to you.

Facing a reasonable challenge during each workout may be the diversity that you were looking for in the first place. Your friend’s presence will also keep you on track with a consistent workout schedule. If you feel like skipping a workout, a good friend won’t let you. Time each other and make goals you both write down and hold each other accountable for.

Consider Circuit Training

A clever way to get more variety into your routine is by trying a circuit-training regimen. Circuit training includes a combination of aerobics, strength training, and abdominal work. You’ll perform a few minutes of each workout type but in varying intervals. Because you’re surprising your muscles with each change in pace, the body will respond with better fitness and an enhanced physique.

Workout Diversity: Ideas to Add Variety to Your RoutineCircuit training can be challenging, so take it at your own pace before trying any advanced movements. Avoiding injury is always the goal during any workout. You might also need to find a wider space for this one.

Go Outdoors

Varying your workout can be as simple as going outdoors. Instead of hopping on the treadmill, walk outside where there are countless hills and valleys that you can traverse. Simply choose a different route for each workout period. You might visit the mountains one day or head out to the beach next week.

All of these terrains will stimulate your body, which allows it to gain more strength and higher metabolism in the end. The fresh air will also invigorate your workout.

Wrap-Up

Eating a healthy diet is part of your success when it comes to effective workouts.

Take a look at your eating and drinking habits, and confirm which nutrients you might be missing.

Purchase vitamins and minerals, including ASEA science based medicine supplements, in order to give your body the strength that’s necessary. You’ll have a better workout with balanced, nutrient levels coursing through your body.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
Brooke Chaplan