Bringing the Fun Back to Fitness

Let's be honest: Working out can be monotonous. We go in the gym and hit the same routine every time. After a while, we start to feel like a hamster on a wheel, doing the same thing over and over... and oh yeah, not getting the results we are working for! Want to know the best secret for breaking the mold? Make exercise fun again!

One of my favorite ways to make fitness fun is to appease the natural desire we have to compete. Even people who don't like to compete against others tend to be extremely competitive with themselves. When it comes to fitness, either way you want to compete, whether against yourself or others, you win!

Just like our childhood days, there's nothing better than an old-fashioned race. Now, I'm not just talking about running. We can race pushups, pull ups, sit ups, squats, burpees, dead lifts, etc. We can race anything! Racing works so well because it elicits our max effort, and max effort yields the fitness results we are looking for!

Here are two fun and simple races for bringing the spark back to your training sessions and increasing your fitness. Just try it... you'll see!

1. Perform a set number of reps for time.

For example, aim to conquer 50 reps of push ups, 50 reps of squats, and 50 reps of sit ups. If you are in pretty good shape, you might want to aim for 100 reps. Set the clock and see how fast you can do it! Record your time.

Challenge friends to race against you, or challenge yourself to beat your old time. The faster you go, the fitter you get!

2. Do as many circuits as you can in a set time.

For example, create any kind of circuit of two, three or four exercises, like five pull ups, 10 burpees, 15 sit ups, and a 400-meter run. Mix and match the reps and order as you like. Set the clock for five, 10, 15, or 20 minutes and see how many rounds you can do. Record your circuits.

Challenge friends to race against you, or challenge yourself to complete more rounds than last time. The more circuits you do in the time allotted, the fitter you get!

Apply these two simple races to your current exercise regimen and discover a whole new world of fun in fitness. Enjoy!

- Chris

Missed it? You can still participate in the 30-Day Summer Shape Up!

• Day 2: Fix Your Form: How To Do The Perfect Crunch

• Day 3: HuffPost Workouts: Music As A 'Getaway'

• Day 4: You Tried It: Amy Dixon's Hard Core Definitions

• Day 5: Buddy Up: Celebrity Couples Who Exercise Together

• Day 6: Memorial Day Chores: How Many Calories Do You Burn?

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Comments

[IreneAdler]

03:34 PM on 05/29/2012

Working out doesn't succeed for many people because it's work. It's boring. Exercise like a child -- go to an open space (walking path, trail, playground, park) and PLAY. Alternate walking and running, play on the swings and slides and chin-up bars, get in the pool and splash around for hours, ride your bike. If you must exercise at home, and I do, put on some music and dance like crazy.

[Lindeen]

01:36 AM on 05/30/2012

Agreed. "Working out" doesn't have to be restricted to a gym.

[tsaweedall]

09:10 PM on 05/28/2012

I am not one for working out indoors. I find the treadmill to be pure torture. I exercise outdoors 5-7 days a week depending on NewEngland weather. Exercising with a friend helps me stay motivated and also I find that I am able to push myself further. I am not overly competitive, but was recently challenged to a planking competition.Week one I started off planking for 1 minute. I gradually increased my time and now at week 5 I can plank for 4 minutes. With great satisfaction I am happy to report that I am in the lead to winning and getting great abs at the same time!

[Raphio11]

07:20 PM on 05/28/2012

The best thing about working out is not being tied down.. Yesterday my family and I engaged in a whomper ball game for two hours. Whomper ball is fun because it’s exactly like baseball but we played with a kid’s kickball (plastic kind is best). This way all those want to be Berry Bonds can’t hit it far, and also creates a little more running/moving than baseball because you have to tag the player out by throwing or touching them. The great part was that, it wasn't planned... Don't plan it, just do it!!

[tsaweedall]

08:55 PM on 05/28/2012

Sounds fun!