The dreaded workout rut is inevitable for anyone who regularly trains.  Doing the same thing not only is boring but also becomes less effective over time.  Mix up your routine to not only challenge your body but also ignite new motivation!

After every 8 weeks, switch up your strength training routine.  You don’t necessarily need a personal trainer to build a well-rounded program.  There are plenty of free resources online that can help.  However, there are many programs available from non-certified fitness enthusiasts that may be unsafe or imbalanced so try visiting a magazine website like WomensHealthMag.com to find a routine that was created by a trusted personal trainer.  Most routines will include 6-8 exercises and some sort of equipment.  Beware of the body weight dancer-created workouts.  If you are petite and have no weight to lose, these may be a practical option but for those who want to shed pounds, stick with programs that include weights.  If you are unsure how to do one of the moves, go ahead and YouTube it.

In order to keep a routine fresh and exciting, download a new playlist for your workout!  This might sound stupidly obvious, but I always forget how motivating a new album can be on a long run.  While downloading legally is always advised, there are artists like Girl Talk who mash up popular songs into an hour long remix sounding track for free.  Visit their MySpace page for details on how to download.

A simple change to incorporate into your routine is to switch up the timing of it all.

Fitness gear and toys can also spice up a boring routine.  Pick up an interval timer to challenge yourself with a time-based workout rather than rep.  Don’t count to 12 or 15, but push yourself for an entire minute.

Another gadget that tends to be addicting is a heart rate monitor.  Purchase one at your local sporting goods store to find out how hard your heart is really working and to see how many calories you burn during a workout.  Heart Rate monitors are great for people looking to increase the intensity of their workout, train for a longer race and anyone who loves the number side of exercise.  Instead of following the ballpark RPE (rate of perceived exertion), this allows you to train up to your exact threshold.

Still need more ideas to keep your workouts fresh?  Here are a few more of my favorite tips:

• Buy a cute, sassy new fitness outfit to show off at the gym.
• Try a new group exercise class, outside of your gym! Ask for a free trial day pass.
• Add 10-30 extra minutes to your usual long day of cardio.
• Try increasing the weight and reducing the reps. You won’t bulk up, I promise.
• Add in a 4th set, but stop after that.  Studies show after 4 sets the advantages are minimal.
• Complete 20 reps of each exercise if you are used to doing just 12.
• Try using tabata intervals with your weight training.
• Try minimalist shoes, a.k.a. barefoot training, if you are in good health.

What is your favorite solution to a stale routine?

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