7 Reasons Why You Should Change Up Your Workout

It is easy to get caught up in the day-by-day, week-by-week routine. Often times, you have limited time to workout, so you are just looking to get it over with. Then working out becomes a habit, and on Monday's maybe you do the same circuit you always do, Tuesday is leg day, Wednesday is cardio, and so on and so forth. Definitely, though, it's good to get your workout in any way you can and to stay consistently active, but it's also crucial to vary your fitness routine. Your body and mental-well being will reap the benefits when you fluctuate your workout actvity. There are many benefits to changing up your workout routine, because it is essential to stimulate different muscle grroups and prevent stagnancy.

Here are seven reasons to change up your workout routine, and hopefully you feel motivated to do so!

1.) Break Through a Weight-Loss Plateau

Often times when you do the same workout every week, your body gets used to the exercise. When your body adapts to the workout, you burn fewer calories even though you are working out just as hard.

By changing up your workout, you are challenging your body in a way that it's not used to, so your body will have to workout harder to accommodate this new workout routine.

For instance, instead of running for 20 minutes on the treadmill, run intervals. Sprint for one minute, jog the next minute, walk the following minute, then start the cycle over again until you have been running for 20 minutes.

Photo taken by Brianna Ruloma

2.) Prevent Overuse Injuries

When you workout the same muscles every week, you are putting repetive strain on your body. You are not allowing certain muscles in your body time to recover. By changing up your work out, you allow those overused muscles the time to rest and recover before working them out again.

If by chance you do get injured, you will have different workouts that you can do, and then, you can remain healthy and in shape, while giving your body the opportunity to heal, as well.

If your legs are still feeling sore from a new workout you tried a week ago, mix it up and do a new arm workout.

3.) Build New Muscles

By mixing up your workout routine, your body is using many different muscles so your endurance will be stronger. You will feel physically ready to pursue a variety of workout activities.

When you do the same workouts, your body gets used to it, and your muscles are not getting stronger. Maybe try adding in more weight to your workouts, too.

Stephania Ochs building new muscles on the TRX (Photo taken by Brianna Ruloma)

4.) No More Workout Boredom

When you workout, you should feel excitied and privlidged to have the opportunity to take the time to be bettering yourself. You don't want to feel bored and count down the seconds until your workout is over. You want to feel like you are powering through and getting your workout done. When you incorporate new intervals or circuits into your workout, even minor adjustments, you will feel invigorated-- just by that little tweak in your usual workout.

To mix it up, instead of walking on the stair climber, jump in a spin class for 20-minutes; this way you can still get your cardio in.

5.) Keep Your Brain Healthy

Exercise alone is the key for keeping your brain active and sharp. Getting your brain active and neurons firing helps you get focused and engaged. Throughout the day, you are able to maintain intrigued, and not just running off of autopilot.

One trainer shared that when she has to think about her workout, instead of just sticking to what she already knows, she is more awake and focused throughout the rest of her day.

6.) Meet New People

If you need motivation to switch up your routine, get a workout buddy who pushes you to try a new workout. It is much easier to try new things when you have someone there doing it with you, either trying something new, too, or teaching you a new exercise.

It is especially easy to make new friends when you jump into a new workout class.

(Photo taken by Brianna Ruloma)

7) Get Excited About Exercise Again

Again, exercising should be something that you look forward to. Mixing up your routine may take a lot of trial and error, but consistently stick with it and you'll feel that sense of acheivement by the way you feel just in your everyday life. Look forward to working out, and then exercise will be something that you get to add to the gratitude list.

These reasons were recommended by Fit Athletic Trainer, Emma Anderson.

Fit Athletic Downtown San Diego Trainer, Emma Anderson coaching her weekly Turf X Class (Photo by Brianna Ruloma)