Overcoming exercise boredom and plateaus

Human beings are creatures of habit. Whether it's the ritual skim latte to start the day or the weekly devotion to "Packed to the Rafters” people create routines that guarantee a series of small pleasures or comfort. Though routine can bring a sense of order to life in an increasingly chaotic world, it can be counterproductive when working out - following the same exercise regimen over and over not only gets boring, but can lead to exercise plateaus that can decrease your results.


The human body is very good at adapting to the things we do, so doing the same activity repeatedly at the same level makes the body more efficient, which eventually results in lower caloric expenditure from the activity. In fact, there is research that shows that by sticking to just one activity, the number of calories burned by exercisers may decrease as much as 25 percent.

For instance, if you normally exercise for 30 minutes four days a week on a treadmill with the same intensity and time for each workout, over time you will not benefit as much as you did when you began. Your body will become accustomed to the routine, making it harder to reach you fitness goals. The repetitiveness also can be boring, even with music, TV or a magazine for distraction, the exercise might become mundane, which also can decrease the likelihood you'll continue working out. (by the way if your reading a magazine while working out YOU ARE NOT WORKING HARD ENOUGH!!!!)

We at Fuse believe the best solution to avoid exercise plateaus and boredom is to use cross training. Cross training simply means mixing together a variety of exercise activities into your routine workouts .

So instead of 45 minutes on a treadmill each time, jump on a bike for 30 minutes, then spend 15 minutes on a different piece of equipment. Or Swim one day and lift weights another. Join a group exercise classes for a period which will do the cross training for you; (why not get some friend together and do a Train with Friend program).

If you only work out at home try walking / running on the flat one day then go up the local hills. Or vary the intensity level alternate going hard for 1 minute and easy for 1 minute then build up the time for each or vary it 2min high x 1 min low work.

We all should make sure our routines change at least every 8 to 10 weeks to maintain workout efficiency and prevent boredom. Fuse Fitness recommends having at least two different activities that can be alternated daily or conducted within the same workout.

By taking the routine out of exercise, fitness fans can reap positive results and enjoyment from their workouts. They'll feel better, look better - and may even wish to add more variety to their lives. Skim latte? Next time, make it a cappuccino 