We all know we’re supposed to stay active, but even on long summer days, with plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, it’s easy to let a fitness routine go stale. If you’re looking to spice things up, here are four ways to energize your workouts and get the most out of your exercise this summer.
Pump Up the Jams
A quick and easy way to switch up the energy of your workouts is to change your soundtrack. If you’re used to running or lifting without music, take out the Bluetooth headphones and turn up the volume. Try adding a fun app like RockMyRun to act as your exercise DJ, or dig into the rich library of workout playlists on Spotify. At the peak of your workout, if your energy starts to fall, a pump-up playlist can help to get you over the hump. And if high-energy music just isn’t for you, try tuning into a podcast narrative series. Getting lost in a story can be a great way to push past physical fatigue too.
Grab Some New Gear
If a small investment – or even a large one – takes your physical fitness to the next level, you won’t regret spending those dollars. Give yourself permission to throw down on a few items that will help you get excited about, and maximize, your exercise. A monthly budget can be a great way to make sure you continuously invest in your health without going overboard. Pick out some new running shorts you’ll be excited to rock outside this summer, or add a versatile piece of equipment like a kettlebell to expand your exercise options. Haven’t spent that fitness budget in a while? Maybe it’s time for a bigger splurge like a mountain bike that will open up a whole new world of activity.
Sign on the Dotted Line
Tap into some extra motivation by signing up for an organized race or fitness challenge. Around Spring and Houston, you’ll find tons of options for any road race distance, whether you’re looking for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. Check out the Chevron Houston Marathon in January 2022, or for something a bit wilder, The Original Mud Run this coming fall. And if you’re not a runner, don’t think that gets you off the hook! With relay races, obstacle courses, CrossFit challenges, and a huge range of organized activities out there, you’ll find something that suits you. Whatever it is, make the commitment. Signing up and having that date on the calendar can be a powerful motivator to get you working harder than ever.
Talk Some Trash
Tired of going it solo on the treadmill? Start up a fitness challenge with friends and family. Making your exercise more social will breathe new life into your routine. If you like smart fitness tracking, host a challenge using the Activity app for Apple Watch, or post updates and encourage your network on the Strava app. A simple text message thread will do the trick too. Play with how you want to structure the challenge based on your group’s collective goals. You could aim for the most miles in a month, a streak challenge (measuring how many days in a row you can hit a certain threshold), or a new weight max or rep max. No matter the goal, going after it together will give everyone in the group a boost toward the finish line.
Now Get Out & Get After It!
Make sure to check out the Olympus Auburn Lakes blog for more health and fitness tips, plus clean-eating recipes and ways to stay active around Spring, Texas.