8 Ways To Have Fun With Exercise

Hello everyone!  The biggest excuse that people give to not working out is that they don’t have enough time.  Another common excuse is that they don’t enjoy it.  We all like to do things that we enjoy and for some people, working out isn’t at the top of their list.  Here are 8 tips that you can try to incorporate into your workouts that just might help make it more enjoyable.

1.  Try Something New

I’m a big believer in switching things up and trying new exercises.  Boredom in the gym is the root of all evils.  I usually switch my routine up every month or two to challenge my body in new ways and to make working out exciting.  Trying a new HIIT routine one month, then switching to a low rep/heavy weight the next for example.  Throwing in a kettlebell routine during the middle of the week and the next day follow it up with a plyometric workout.  Whatever it may, change things up and try new exercises to not only keep your mind stimulated but your body as well.

2.  Crank The Tunes

You may have read one of my earlier posts about Workout Playlists and how listening to music can get you through workouts.  Put a playlist together that will get your energy level up and let you have fun while working out.  Workouts are meant to be energetic so why not crank the tunes and enjoy it!

3.  Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress and seeing results is a great way to make exercising more exciting!  Keeping a workout journal is a great motivational tool you can use because it can make gains more tangible, and who doesn’t enjoy the thought of making gains?!

4.  Set Goals & Reward Yourself

Whether it’s to lose 1 pound this week or make it to the gym 12 times this month, make sure you set some realistic and attainable goals for yourself.  Determine your reward ahead of time and make sure you follow through.  This can make reaching your goal even more exciting!

5.  Enjoy An Outdoor Activity

Working out isn’t just limited to going to the gym.  Take your workout outdoors for a fun change!  The workout routine I’m currently doing calls for rest days and on those rest days it’s an active rest day.  Go for a walk on a trail through the woods near your house.  If you’re a golfer, walk 18 holes.  Could the exterior of you house use a little sprucing up?  Do some yard work.  Doing an activity outside of the gym can be fun and you can still get that exercise.

6.  Get A Workout Buddy

Working out with a friend isn’t just a way to squeeze in some face time with them, they can help push you and make your workouts more fun.  If your friend is tied up, try looking into local running clubs or fitness groups.

7.   Don’t Dread It

What I mean by this is switch the difficulty order of your exercises around.  While it’s beneficial to stack the most challenging exercises towards the beginning of your workout, don’t feel like that’s what you have to do every time.  Also, saving the toughest exercise for the very end of your routine doesn’t really leave you motivated to finish your routine when you know what’s coming.  Try sandwiching the really tough exercises with some of the more enjoyable ones and the whole workout can seem much more pleasant.

8.  Shorten It Up

Workouts taking too long?  Try shortening it up to 30 minutes of purposeful exercise.  Short and intense workouts can be really effective when it comes to building muscle and endurance and can be fun in the process!