30-DAY RISK FREE TRIAL
On most days, binge-watching your favorite comedy series on Netflix seems much more exciting than working out. This is especially true if you’ve been doing the same type of workout for weeks, months, or even years. But if you’re spending your hour at the gym walking on the treadmill and texting your friends simultaneously, you likely aren’t getting a good workout. So if you’re feeling bored and unmotivated when it comes to your fitness routine, it’s time to switch it up!
Ideally, you want to look forward to working out because it makes you feel better mentally, emotionally, and physically. But to rediscover your passion for working out, you’ll have to think outside the box. To get you started on your journey to making workouts a little less boring, we’ve come up with a couple of ideas:
Competing with your friends or family members is a great way to hold you accountable for your new workout schedule. For example, if your goal is to work out four times a week for one month, suggest a challenge to your friends and suggest that the winner gets a prize. Everyone can track their workouts on a shared Google Doc or calendar, and the incentive of a reward and impressing your friends will keep you motivated.
Some fitness machines like smart rowing machines and stationary bikes even have programs built in that allow you to compete with your friends.
Convincing yourself to skip the gym and relax at home is easy after a long day at work or school. However, this habit won’t help you achieve your fitness goals. But finding a workout buddy will keep you motivated to exercise. Plus, you won’t feel like constantly canceling on them when you don’t feel like working out. With a gym buddy, you’ll also have someone to give you a much-needed push on those days when you don’t feel like moving from the couch. It can also make your workouts more enjoyable as you’ll likely share a few laughs.
When searching for a workout buddy, it’s best to find someone who shares similar goals and has a schedule that’s like yours; otherwise, planning the workouts can be challenging. It’s also wise to find someone that has the same commitment level. Having a workout buddy doesn’t mean that you have to work out with them every time. You may choose to exercise together once per week and then chat throughout the week to ensure that both of you are following through with the agreed-upon exercise schedule.
Participating in group fitness classes can add some variety to your routine. Depending on the kind of class and instructor, you’ll be doing a range of exercises that differ from the usual few you do when working out on your own. Not only will this variety keep you engaged, but it can also help you break through any plateaus you’ve reached in your progress. Even if you find a class or instructor you love, it won’t get boring as it’s bound to be different each time.
If you prefer cardio workouts on a treadmill, rowing machine, or elliptical, try to add intervals, as this will keep you engaged and fend off any feelings of boredom. For example, walk on your treadmill for five minutes, run for five, and continue to repeat this until you’re finished. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves short bursts of high-intensity exercise followed by slow recovery periods. HIIT has been previously linked to reducing one’s risk of cardiovascular disease and may be effective in helping you achieve your personal fitness goals.
There are several reasons why you should vary your workout routine: it can help you break through plateaus, prevent overusing the same muscles that can lead to injury, build new muscles, make you excited about working out again, and avoid boredom.
Every week, you should do a few different workouts instead of the same ones that use the same muscle groups. Continually changing your workout routines can also burn more calories, resulting in more significant weight loss if that’s your goal. Most fitness experts suggest switching up your workout routine every six to eight weeks to ensure you’re targeting your entire body and so you won’t become bored.
In addition to setting challenges for yourself, there are many smart fitness machines that include workout games. Instead of sitting on your couch and playing Xbox, you can play a game with your friends while breaking a sweat.
Fitness gamification can make you look forward to your daily workout and will ensure you exercise as hard as possible. If you don’t have a cardio machine with game options, there are several apps that can help you create a game-inspired workout.
Aviron’s rowing machines help fitness enthusiasts forever say “goodbye” to boring workouts. The rowing machine offers many interactive workouts that capture your interest, like coached programs, scenic workouts, and guided programs.
Through the machine’s “power play” feature, users can enjoy a combination of games and guided programs while they compete against their friends. There are also options for live competitions with friends and family members and “pros vs joes.” This unique game-inspired feature lets users row against pro athletes and Olympians in rowing and other sports. There are few things more satisfying than beating a professional rower from the comfort of your own home!
Aviron’s smart rowing machines also offer streaming so that users can track their stats while watching their favorite shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney +, Hulu, and more.
To learn more about the games and other features found on Aviron’s rowing machines, click here.