How to Change an Exercise Routine

It's a good idea to change your exercise routines because your muscles get bored with the same repetitive exercises. By changing things up a little, you'll stimulate muscle growth. Muscles get jump-started by new routines and you'll see differences immediately. You discover an entire range of new exercises when you change your routine, which also keeps you from getting bored. Follow these steps to change your exercise routine.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Listen to your body. If you feel bored by your workout and you're not noticing any difference, change your routine. How often and for long depends entirely on you.
2. Switch between the treadmill and the stationary bike. Both focus on your lower body, but use different muscles.
3. Forgo the bench press for some dumbbells instead. It's a simple change but one that will have a tremendous impact on your chest muscles.
4. Follow a technique called periodization. This is when you manipulate timing, intensity and volume. You'd lift lightweights for a high number of repetitions for 2 months. This improves your muscle tone. Then, switch to heavier weights with few reps for 2 months. This builds your strength. Finally, take a month off before starting the cycle over again.
5. Add some exercise classes to your routine. You'll be introduced to an entirely new type of exercise and you'll be working your muscles in different ways.
6. Alternate between indoor and outdoor exercise. Go for a walk with a friend a few days a week. The other days, hit the gym.