It’s perfectly normal to grow bored with your exercise routine. Data published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology suggests that 50% of people who start an exercise programme drop out within 6 months.
It’s perfectly normal to grow bored with your exercise routine. Data published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology suggests that 50% of people who start an exercise programme drop out within 6 months.
Exercise boredom may be common, but it’s important to find ways to stay motivated as physical activity is most effective when it’s done regularly.
If you’re keen to keep yourself on track, this article will give you 6 boredom-busting tips to help you make exercise a habit.
We’ve all heard that it’s easier to work out with a friend, but exercising with a group of people may be more effective. According to the American Heart Association, exercising as part of a group can help to keep you motivated and increase your chances of sticking to a workout regime.
If this sounds like it may be helpful, why not sign up for a spin class or join a local walking club to keep yourself on track?
Some people find it easier to exercise at the beginning of the day, but not all of us are morning people. If you find it difficult to start early, you could try exercising during your lunch break, visiting the gym or local park after work or going for a brisk walk just before dinner.
Current exercise guidelines recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise each week, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different routines until you find a time of day that works for you.
Study results suggest that making sure you answer to someone can help you to stay on track with any goal you want to achieve, including making regular exercise a habit. If you’re struggling to keep your exercise routine going, it may help to:
You may find it easier to stay motivated if you pick activities that provide more than 1 benefit. This could be cycling to work to save money, pushing a lawnmower up and down your garden once a week, walking to the shops or taking your dog for a walk after work.
Everyday activities still count towards your exercise goals, and boredom may become less of an issue if you’re getting multiple benefits from your workout.
Being able to measure your progress can help to keep boredom at bay. If you find it rewarding to track your activity or monitor the way your body is changing, you may find it helpful to make use of a wearable pedometer, a fitness app or an activity tracker.
These devices allow you to record vital statistics like your heart rate, the number of calories you’ve burned or the number of steps you’ve walked. Being able to look back at this information may help to keep you motivated.
If you’re bored of going to the gym, why not try a fun new activity?
Trampolining, dancing and volleyball are all good examples. You could also try bouldering (a form of rock climbing) or sign up for an aerial silks class if you want to get out of your comfort zone and try something completely new. See what’s available in your local area.
The important thing is to find an activity you enjoy doing that you can make part of your lifestyle.
You’re more likely to keep exercising if you’re having fun, and exercise is more beneficial if you do it regularly.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.