Fun Ways to Jumpstart Your New Workout Routine

It is pretty easy to put off starting a regular exercise program. After all, there are plenty of people out there with a seemingly endless number of reasons to putt off their new fitness routine for another day. However, the reality of it all is that “today” is just as difficult a day to begin as any other time. With the right motivational tricks in place, getting started on your workout routine is a lot easier! Here are some fun ways to jumpstart your new exercise program.

• Get new exercise clothes.
  Many people find excitement and happiness in buying new clothes for themselves. If you are one of them, this is a great way to jumpstart your workout routine. Buy workout clothes that you really like, and you'll be a little more excited to put them to good use the very next day. As everyone knows, it's getting started that is the most difficult, and this is an effective way to get yourself into action.

• Find others to exercise with.
  Find an exercise buddy or group that you can join for your workout. Your exercise partners will be sure to check up on you if you don't turn up for your workout one day, and that very thought is guaranteed to get you into your running shoes when you'd rather cop out. Exercising with friends is also more enjoyable than working out on your own, and gives you something to look forward to in your workout sessions. If you don't have any friends that you can link up with for your workout, join an exercise class to make some friends with similar fitness goals.

• Make it enjoyable.
  Exercising doesn't have to be about going to the gym at 5.30am and leaving an hour later every day. There are many ways to give your body a good workout, so pick exercise options that you love and that won’t bore you. You could play a sport with friends, go swimming, or join a fitness class like Zumba. You can also spice up a routine workout session by combining it with a second activity you look forward to doing like hiking or dancing. For some, listening to their favorite songs while doing a few laps around the neighborhood turns the drill into an enjoyable run. Others use techniques like watching movies on the treadmill to motivate themselves to work in some extra physical activity.

"2013 Madison Marathon" by Phil Roeder is licensed under CC BY 2.0

• Sign up for an exercise event.
  Signing up for an exercise event that is more challenging than what you're used to is a great way to kickstart your workout routine. With a deadline in place and the fees already paid, you have no option but to get out there and begin your training at the scheduled time. It would be rather difficult for anyone to not benefit from joining in on community based events like these, where they will be held accountable for their efforts.

• Change your routine around.
  If you have a fixed workout routine in place, it can start to get boring after a while. Once your body adjusts to the routine, you no longer feel the effects of your workout. Instead of letting this dampen your motivation, make a few changes in your routine to feel that high again. You can exercise for longer, exercise harder or exercise a different set of muscles instead. Even doing new exercises targeting the same muscles is enough to make your workout interesting once more.

• Reward yourself regularly.
  Rewards are a great way to keep yourself motivated. Set realistic targets and give yourself a treat once you achieve them. This gives you something to look forward to when you don't feel like working out. You can set smaller rewards for smaller achievements, and big rewards for achieving something really impressive. Don't forget to reward consistency as well.

Simple but fun additions like these are very effective in motivating people to stop postponing their new routine and begin their journey toward new fitness goals.