Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

you’re looking for inspiration, these eight tried and true tips are guaranteed to give you an extra boost for your next workout:</p><h1 id="b7c0">1. Take online classes</h1><p id="81c3">We can’t exercise together in person, but we <i>can</i> get our sweat on via Zoom (or whatever format floats your boat). I’ve been teaching online classes for a few months now and have been absolutely loving it. It’s a great way to foster connection with others without risking your health, and feels a lot more normal than I’d expected.</p><p id="f0af">If you choose to take a live fitness class, I encourage you to keep your camera on. It may feel weird at first, but it keeps you accountable and allows the instructor to offer personalized guidance for form. It also makes you feel more connected with your fellow classmates!</p><h1 id="e727">2. Listen to new workout playlists</h1><p id="356e">Nothing fires me up like a good beat drop. Nothing. But I can only listen to the same songs so many times before I start getting bored. That’s why about every couple of weeks or so, I create or find new playlists on Spotify to spice things up.</p><p id="a909">Ask your friends for recommendations, scope out artists that are similar to ones you like, and go through the archives for solid throwbacks. I put “Lipgloss” on my newest playlist and have not regretted it.</p><h1 id="dc53">3. Try a new type of fitness</h1><p id="864d">Now is the time to try new, fun things! The beauty of virtual fitness is that there are so many options right at your fingertips, so it’s never been easier to try a type of exercise that’s typically out of your comfort zone.</p><p id="62ba">For instance, I rarely practiced yoga before quarantine. I just never really connected to the movement and always found my mind wandering. But my sister had a CorePower membership that she let me use (thanks, Anna!) and it was exactly what I needed. Change up the format to find something that works for you.</p><h1 id="f30d">4. Work out with a buddy</h1><p id="5e25">Whether it’s someone you’re quarantining with or someone you’re scheduling a virtual/socially distanced workout with, it’s helpful to get support from a friend. Working out with other people holds you accountable and makes the exercise feel more like a fun activity rather than a chore.</p><p id="5f6d">Pick a time, pick a place, and make it an event with your buddy!</p><h1 id="d1c2">5. Change up your scenery</h1><p id="dbaa">Bored in the house and you’re in the house bored? Switch it up and go

Options

outside! A change in scenery can be helpful in getting you motivated, and there are <a href="https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/6360/get-out-5-benefits-of-outdoor-exercise/">many benefits</a> to getting some extra outdoor time.</p><p id="6c3e">If you’re in a city and can’t find a secluded spot, try working out in a new room of your apartment or house. You’re not tied to one area to work out, and who knows — you might realize that you like the atmosphere of a certain room more than another when you’re moving around.</p><h1 id="64ee">6. Get new workout clothes</h1><p id="74a3">Ok, I know this one isn’t the cheapest idea, but hear me out — whenever I get a new workout outfit (workoutfit? No?), I get amped to test it out. Wayyy too much of my money has been spent on <a href="https://bootybybrabants.com/">Booty By Brabants</a> during quarantine, but it’s honestly inspired me to exercise more. When I feel confident in what I’m wearing, I feel more powerful and go way harder in my workout.</p><h1 id="52fc">7. Work out at another time of day</h1><p id="0b14">Keep your routine fresh by trying out different times of day to work out. One of the benefits of working from home is that you have a lot more flexibility with your schedule than you otherwise would. If work is feeling pretty light, you can grab your dumbbells and mat to wake up your body and mind.</p><p id="e8dd">Are you always working out in the morning? Test out what a lunchtime or evening workout might feel like. You might find that it’s not for you, but how will you know if you don’t try?</p><h1 id="8950">8. Set new goals for yourself</h1><p id="6914">Fitness challenges are a great way to inspire yourself to keep pushing. If you set a goal for yourself, friendly reminder to make it a SMART one, meaning that it should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (learn more about how to set these <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm">here</a>).</p><p id="5659">Examples could be to work up to completing 20 burpees at a time, running a 5k, or trying one new fitness class a week — you get to choose!</p><p id="4f1f">If you’re still not feeling up to working out, that’s more than ok. These aren’t easy times, so listen to your body and mind to do what’s best for your physical, mental, and emotional health. And if one of these tips works for you, great! Definitely <a href="https://www.cailincowley.com/contact">reach out</a> to let me know.</p></article></body>

8 tips to keep your fitness routine fresh

It’s been five months — that have felt like five years — since the beginning of quarantine, and even if you were one of the blessed few who ordered free weights when things started going south in March, I’d bet that your at-home workout routine may be feeling stale. Who could blame you? Studies have shown that working out in groups boosts motivation to exercise, and in-person group fitness hasn’t been a reality. I’m a fitness instructor and I still occasionally find myself kicking my feet in the middle of a workout, lacking the inspiration to push harder.

This is concerning, considering that according to HHS, 80% of adults don’t meet the guidelines for aerobic and strength training activities, and mental impacts of COVID-19 are only making things harder. Pew Research reports that 18% of Americans experience nervousness or anxiety most or all of the time during the week, which is up from 2018, when 9% of Americans felt overwhelming anxiety. Additionally, that same study found that one-third of people aged 18–29 are experiencing high levels of psychological distress.

Why does this impact our workouts, you ask? A common effect of stress is a lack of motivation. I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to pump myself up for a workout when I’m hit with the COVID blues.

That being said, this is a great opportunity to figure out what motivates you as you dig deep to keep moving. If you’re looking for inspiration, these eight tried and true tips are guaranteed to give you an extra boost for your next workout:

1. Take online classes

We can’t exercise together in person, but we can get our sweat on via Zoom (or whatever format floats your boat). I’ve been teaching online classes for a few months now and have been absolutely loving it. It’s a great way to foster connection with others without risking your health, and feels a lot more normal than I’d expected.

If you choose to take a live fitness class, I encourage you to keep your camera on. It may feel weird at first, but it keeps you accountable and allows the instructor to offer personalized guidance for form. It also makes you feel more connected with your fellow classmates!

2. Listen to new workout playlists

Nothing fires me up like a good beat drop. Nothing. But I can only listen to the same songs so many times before I start getting bored. That’s why about every couple of weeks or so, I create or find new playlists on Spotify to spice things up.

Ask your friends for recommendations, scope out artists that are similar to ones you like, and go through the archives for solid throwbacks. I put “Lipgloss” on my newest playlist and have not regretted it.

3. Try a new type of fitness

Now is the time to try new, fun things! The beauty of virtual fitness is that there are so many options right at your fingertips, so it’s never been easier to try a type of exercise that’s typically out of your comfort zone.

For instance, I rarely practiced yoga before quarantine. I just never really connected to the movement and always found my mind wandering. But my sister had a CorePower membership that she let me use (thanks, Anna!) and it was exactly what I needed. Change up the format to find something that works for you.

4. Work out with a buddy

Whether it’s someone you’re quarantining with or someone you’re scheduling a virtual/socially distanced workout with, it’s helpful to get support from a friend. Working out with other people holds you accountable and makes the exercise feel more like a fun activity rather than a chore.

Pick a time, pick a place, and make it an event with your buddy!

5. Change up your scenery

Bored in the house and you’re in the house bored? Switch it up and go outside! A change in scenery can be helpful in getting you motivated, and there are many benefits to getting some extra outdoor time.

If you’re in a city and can’t find a secluded spot, try working out in a new room of your apartment or house. You’re not tied to one area to work out, and who knows — you might realize that you like the atmosphere of a certain room more than another when you’re moving around.

6. Get new workout clothes

Ok, I know this one isn’t the cheapest idea, but hear me out — whenever I get a new workout outfit (workoutfit? No?), I get amped to test it out. Wayyy too much of my money has been spent on Booty By Brabants during quarantine, but it’s honestly inspired me to exercise more. When I feel confident in what I’m wearing, I feel more powerful and go way harder in my workout.

7. Work out at another time of day

Keep your routine fresh by trying out different times of day to work out. One of the benefits of working from home is that you have a lot more flexibility with your schedule than you otherwise would. If work is feeling pretty light, you can grab your dumbbells and mat to wake up your body and mind.

Are you always working out in the morning? Test out what a lunchtime or evening workout might feel like. You might find that it’s not for you, but how will you know if you don’t try?

8. Set new goals for yourself

Fitness challenges are a great way to inspire yourself to keep pushing. If you set a goal for yourself, friendly reminder to make it a SMART one, meaning that it should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (learn more about how to set these here).

Examples could be to work up to completing 20 burpees at a time, running a 5k, or trying one new fitness class a week — you get to choose!

If you’re still not feeling up to working out, that’s more than ok. These aren’t easy times, so listen to your body and mind to do what’s best for your physical, mental, and emotional health. And if one of these tips works for you, great! Definitely reach out to let me know.