We all struggle to get motivated to work out sometimes, even those of us who go to the gym once a day and love feeling the burn in our muscles. So how do you get inspired to work out again? By changing it up, so here are the best workout routines that will motivate you to get back up and moving in no time.
For those of you who love to dance, Zumba is a great option. It was created in the 90’s by a Colombian dancer and choreographer, and it combines different speeds and rhythms of music with aerobic fitness moves to get you working up a sweat. In essence, Zumba classes are dance parties with simple steps that are easy to follow and have been touted as exercise for people who don’t particularly enjoy typical exercise routines.
This is probably my absolute favorite on the list, although likely one of the more difficult ones to access if you don’t live in a big city (sorry!). Climbing is great exercise and a fantastic way to increase coordination, meet new people, and build muscle without weight-lifting if you, like me, find that not particularly interesting. There are many different types of rock climbing: bouldering, top rope, lead, traditional, solo, etc., but the types of climbing you’ll typically find at a gym are bouldering and top rope. When bouldering in a gym, the rock walls are smaller and have large, cushioned mats underneath so that if you fall off the wall, you’ll land on a padded surface. There are no ropes when bouldering, so it’s important to take a lesson in bouldering first and be around people who know what they’re doing when you go the first few times.
Top rope climbing is the type that people generally imagine, in which one person in a harness connected to ropes (connected to a wall) climbs on the wall and another person at the bottom of the wall belays the ropes, making sure that there’s no slack in the rope as the climber moves up. This ensures that if the climber falls, they just swing a bit from the wall. With top rope climbing in a gym, there are still mats, but the walls may be higher. With both types of climbing, gyms often offer gear rentals so you don’t necessarily need to have your own climbing shoes, chalk, harness, ropes, or helmets.
Contrary to popular belief, pole dancing isn’t just for stripping or exotic dancing; it’s also a fantastic workout. Pole dancing has been gaining popularity as a workout over the past few years, and it’s likely that you’ve seen pole dance studios popping up near you. It combines dancing and acrobatics and helps you develop upper body and core strength (imagine the amount of muscle it requires to perform tricks on a pole!), plus, it can help you feel more comfortable and empowered in your own body. That’s a win-win in my book.
Remember being young and playing outside with toys like hula hoops, trampolines, and pogo sticks? Have you ever wished you could be a kid again while still being productive? Wish no more! These three activities are actually great exercise, as anyone who’s recently been to a trampoline park will tell you. There are tons of exercises you can do with just a hula hoop, a trampoline, or a pogo stick. Plus, playing around with them is just plain fun!
Try taking up boxing if you’re bored of the normal workout regimen that you follow! It can boost your endurance, strength, and speed, and it can also give you a way to release any frustrations you may have. Doesn’t it seem like it would be cathartic to punch something at times? You could also try kickboxing, a sport developed from the combination of karate and boxing. Just be sure not to hit or kick anyone in the nearby vicinity who isn’t trained.
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