When’s the last time you did something with your workouts that was out of your normal routine?

Honestly, think of the last time you did something new or different: tried a class for the first time, went to the gym by yourself, worked out in the morning, added 10 pounds to your max lift, ran 10 minutes longer, etc.

It’s been a while, huh?

It’s human nature to not want to do something new- the unknown is something most people avoid like the plague.  I see so many people trudge through the same workout, at the same gym, at the same time, over and over.  These are usually the people that end up feeling like exercise is a chore, dread every minute of it, and their results usually show it.

How did you feel when you tried something new?  Probably a little nervous at first, maybe you were drug there by a friend or significant other, and you powered through it.

How did you feel afterward?  Sure, you could have loved or hated it.  You might have tried a yoga class and hated it, or felt like a fool trying to splash your way around a pool, but it was nice to shake up your routine, wasn’t it?  If you loved it, you found something new to get excited about and incorporate into your fitness routine to keep you motivated.  Trying something new will always invigorate your motivation, get you excited about working out again and maybe even take you on a new fitness path you never dreamed of.  Triathlon, anyone?

I call this exploring fitness.  There are so many modes and forms of exercise it is impossible to know if you are currently practicing the one you like best.  Even if you love your current routine, there might be something out there you love even more.  You might be a gym rat that gets hooked on mountain biking.  You might be a lap swimmer that converts to trail running.  You might be a yogi who turns to competitive Strong Man.

Need ideas of things to try?  Some are an end result, but here are just a few things you might fall in love with:

• Swimming
• Biking
• Mountain Climbing
• Kickboxing
• Adult Sports Teams
• Marathons
• Triathlons
• Fitness/Figure Competitions
• Strong Man Competitions
• Body Building
• Yoga
• Boot Camps
• Martial Arts
• Pilates
• Gymnastics
• Dance
• Hiking
• Canoeing
• Pole Dancing (the fitness class, not the profession.  Well, you can do what you want, I guess.)

Explore your fitness.  Try something new.  How will you know if you’re missing out if never try?

In Good Health,

Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner is a Seattle area ACE Certified Personal Trainer, health and fitness writer and editor of the fitness website, PhysiqueSpeak.com. To contact Kelly with any questions, you can email her at kellycturner@hotmail.com.