Summer Workout Makeover
Summer officially starts on June 20th, 2012. Before this summer slips by, consider how changing up a routine workout can pump in much-needed vitality to your day.
We have three easy ways to refresh, revitalize and renew same-old, workout regimes.
#1: Gym Workout Refresh
Gym routines are great–equipment is familiar, patterns are established, but if your gym workout is suffering from burnout, try these ideas to spice up your routine:
- Between sets of arm curls or lat pull-downs, jump on a cardio machine and walk, run or bike.
- Take an extra 5 minutes to learn how to use unfamiliar equipment and start incorporating new ones into your routine: medicine balls, resistance bands, kettle bells, balance balls or platform scooters.
- Hire a personal trainer for a short time: even an hour session with a trainer can refresh your gym workout. Trainers can help your routine by suggesting improvements, enhancing areas of strength and catching places where you might try different positioning to increase power.
#2: Revitalize Vacation Workouts
Visiting the beach or cabin is a great time to revitalize your workout in a new setting. Keep up the intensity with these beach workout tips
- Push-ups and sit-ups don’t require any special equipment, so do some sets and then soak up the sun.
- Include lunges and bicycle pumping when you take a dip in the water…your legs will quiver with exertion and you’ll feel revitalized for whatever water activity is next.
- Play! Volleyball, Frisbee, kite flying…any activity that gets you up and moving with vigor counts towards a revitalized workout on summer vacation.
#3: Route Renewal
Once a walking or running route is established, it’s hard to break from the routine. The route and time it takes to complete it mean you don’t have to think about your workout each time you tie on your sneakers. Keep it fresh with these route renewal ideas:
- Seek out a new route that includes a hill or two. You’ll work out new muscles and get a new view of your neighborhood.
- Incorporate a flight of stairs in your route. Whether up and down your apartment building, the second story of your house, or the stadium steps of your local university, a stair workout once a week builds muscles, stamina, and a stronger cardiovascular system.
- Head to the track for a different kind of route. Whether indoors or out, a track workout can be as simple as combining walking and running or speed workouts with distances already established for easy recording.
Once you’ve recharged your summer workout, refuel your body with delicious protein smoothies like this Tropical Mango Strawberry Protein Smoothie recipe:
Tropical Mango Strawberry Protein Smoothie recipe