Everybody has their likes and dislikes when it comes to working out. Personally I hate doing cardio and more specifically running. Every spring I find myself trying to restart this love-hate relationship, because I know its many benefits. The problem is it seemed to get tougher every year until recently I decided to make it fun. There was no need to follow a strict regimen that I regretted doing, because soon I found myself making excuses to skip runs. While I still had a plan going into each run, I began to do what I felt like each day whether it was a timed run, sprint intervals, or a slower paced distance run. Additionally, I started using the Nike+ Running App, which helps me track my runs. The feedback is great with the time, distance, and speed data it provides. I also like that I have a log of all the runs so I can easily track the progress. Another great feature of the app is that it allows my music to play, while still keeping me up to date on the pace of the current run. These simple changes have made one of my most dreadful activities enjoyable again and are definitely worth a try.
Plenty of people are beginning to pick up on the fun aspect which is a key component of physical activity. This has allowed for many types of entertaining runs compared to the traditional 5K. Now you can crawl through mud, climb obstacles, be sprayed with colors, dodge zombies, eat doughnuts, or drink beer during these races. These races are a great for doing in groups for a more social experience and just plain having fun.
There are other great ways to make a workout fun and it’s up to each person to find what works for them. One excellent way is to have a workout partner or group. This allows each person to be each other’s support system, while adding extra motivation to push to new heights through encouragement or friendly competition. Furthermore, you’ll feel more accountable for the workouts when friends are expecting you to show up each time. Schedule a few workouts with a friend and see the difference it makes to have someone there with you during your next session. Most importantly, find whatever ways you can to make your workouts more fun. This will keep you engaged in following a regular schedule for exercising and not skipping out on getting fit.
-Isaac Brewton