2020 forced the world into a new normal in so many different ways.
From the proliferation of remote work to the fact that masks will no doubt be worn through many flu seasons going forward, it’s important to consider some of the knock-on effects (and yes, even some of the minor positives) that have come from the last year.
Another consequence that many of us have experienced is the need to adjust our fitness regimen. Gyms were closed for a good portion of the last year, and many people, even those vaccinated, are choosing to work out at home or in a more versatile manner from now on, as they’ve gotten used to that new normal.
Switching up your workouts this year is important to consider, then. Perhaps we can take that feeling of ‘a new normal’ and instead of feeling limited by it, use it to establish how we’d really like to workout while opening our options in the best possible sense.
With that in mind, we’d invite you to consider some of the following advice. Perhaps it could help you get the best results possible:
A Hybrid Of Strength & Cardio
It’s very easy to think that you need to fit into a pre-portioned box when it comes to selecting your fitness approach. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a plan, and actually, this is encouraged if you’re just starting out or wish to get back to fitness after a year of lockdown. If workout plans are good enough for elite athletes, they’re good enough for you and I. That said, it can be that sometimes, you feel tired or otherwise bored of a particular workout plan.
It might be, then, that switching up certain disciplines could be helpful provided you take into account the demands on your body and what you can feasibly achieve and measure. For instance, it might be that you wish to get into weightlifting, but you don’t want to lose your cardio edge. So, perhaps a plan such as modified Starting Strenth with an extra 10 minutes of swimming (in lieu of running which adds stress to your joints, which is what you wish to avoid after heavy weightlifting) could help your workouts feel varied and more enjoyable.
While training programs aren’t optimized when applied in a pick-and-choose manner, it’s true to say that you do have some flexibility in the range of activities you do. Perhaps you wish to pick up Yoga instead of Pilates, for instance
Get Out Of The House
Many of us have had to adapt to working out within our homes in the last year, and for obvious reasons. From placing a treadmill right in front of a television to looking out the window on our exercise bike, it’s true that working out alone and in a quiet environment can be quite peaceful from time to time.
That said, it’s also true that you may yearn to get out of the house, and this in itself can provide a great way to switch up your schedule. That might involve running a local nature trail, driving to a nature reserve and cycling with a friend twice a week, or now that the weather is a little warmer, working out in your garden.
Work Out With A Friend
It might be that joining a gym or purchasing free weights for your home gym gives you the opportunity to make your exercise a little more social. That’s not to say you have to bring your entire family and friend set to the gym with you, but inviting a friend from work to train with you in the mornings, or going with a relative, or simply finding a gym buddy through an online local blog can help you stay disciplined and active in your regimen.
There’s something quite special about working out with someone you trust. You can take refuge in one another and push each other to be your very best when this happens. While workouts are still hard, it’s true to say that the more you do it, the better the entire process will feel. So, don’t be afraid to work out with a friend, or even afraid of asking the question. It can truly work wonders.
With this advice, and the willingness to adjust your orientation of just what fitness goal you’re pursuing (such a losing lockdown weight or perhaps running 5k again), we hope you can get back on that horse and achieve as you had before. Good luck!
