If you’ve ever spoken to a physiologist about an exercise routine, you know the #1 rule is to make it fun. Find a workout or activity that you enjoy doing, and you’ll never have to force yourself to do it. It may be hard to believe, but banging weights around in a gym can get boring for people from time to time. When that happens, try to change up the workout to something different and new to keep the fire alive! Find a new route on your walk/run, try a new exercise or routine to avoid that horrible “Oh great, THIS again” feeling. The term most health professionals would use for this is “The Variation Principle.”
Here are a couple of routines you can try to help vary your workouts!
Beach Day Cardio:
Now, cardio workouts may seem more challenging, but with a change of scenery and giving yourself some variation, you can get it done with a smile on! The lifeguard stands down in Long Beach are about 500 feet apart, depending on crowds. 5 stands out and 5 stands back is about a mile!
- Run between a set of stands, then jog between a set of stands for a great interval cardio session! Modify by alternating between jogging and walking. Up the intensity by switching between sprinting and jogging.
- Try moving through the soft sand for a set, and then to the packed sand for a set (tougher than it sounds).
Fun in the Sun Circuits
Looking for a great total body workout that won’t kill your beach time? These total body circuits don’t require any equipment at all, only your body!
#1
- Plank for 20 seconds
- Jumping Jack or Jog for 15 seconds
- Bodyweight Squat for 12 reps
- Pushup for 10 reps
Repeat 4 times!
#2
- Shoulder Circles 20 fwd, 20 backward
- Walking Lunge 8 each leg
- Flutter Kicks for 20 seconds
- Mountain climber 20 seconds
Repeat 4 times!
By Matt Rhodes
