Mixing it Up!

FitRiders Jumping Rope

​Since I started travelling, I don't have access to a traditional gym. I travel with a skipping rope, ab roller, yoga mat, mountain bike and TRX. Which goes to show you, an expensive gym membership is not required, although I do miss traditional weightlifting.
 
What happens when you are at a stalemate with your workouts or you are just plain bored? You try something new of course. The old saying ‘variety is the spice of life’ is quite accurate in so many facets. When you change up your workouts, such as adding a new move, heavier or even lighter weight, or a new cardio program, your body must learn something new. This allows for some more fat loss because your body is using energy differently. It also uses the muscles differently and can help you become stronger as well.
 
I thought I hated running until one morning I woke up, strapped on my running shoes and headed off for a run down a dirt road in Arizona. It didn't last very long because I don't usually run but it was ok. It felt good to be out of breath. I ran that 2 km road a few times that week. I hung up my running shoes in Baja because the dirt biking was great. When we needed to spend time repairing said dirt bikes and found ourselves holed up for a while I re-discovered running. Once again, I strapped on my runners and went for a 2 km run down another dirt road to the beach a few times that week. Now, don't get me wrong, running is still not my favourite workout, but I enjoy running when there are dirt roads (because it's easier on the joints than pavement) and cool scenery. One of the great side-effects of my new-found running routine was that I lost the few pounds I gained while in Arizona quite easily and quickly. I didn’t change anything except for a switcher-roo in my workout. Now I've added running to my workouts, and I am beginning to like it.
 
As a general rule, you should change up your workout routine every 4 or so weeks. A good personal trainer will tell you that. In fact, our FitRiders fitness program has a variety of exercises designed to change and progress as you do over time.  I'm always researching new workouts but let me know if you have any interesting workouts you do, let's share and get fit to ride together.

Jen
Instagram: @lazycatzimmerman

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