Have you ever found yourself stuck in a fitness rut, dreading your monotonous workout routine? Or perhaps, you’re working out 6 days a week and still not seeing progress? Benefits of a diverse workout routine are limitless. So, it’s time to embrace the power of diversity within your exercise routine, and do it now! Mixing up the exercises you do keeps your fitness journey exciting and motivating and unlocks a world of benefits for your body and mind. This article explores the numerous advantages of varying your workouts and how they can help you achieve optimal results.
The benefits of balance: The power of diversity
It’s a balancing act… Literally!
Focusing on a single exercise or workout routine often neglects certain muscle groups, resulting in imbalances. Varying the types of exercises you do, you ensure that all muscle groups are targeted and developed evenly. Strength training, cardiovascular workouts, flexibility exercises, and functional movements all play a role in sculpting a well-balanced physique. Whether you’re hitting personal best’s on the bench press or smashing out 20-mile runs a week, you need to rest and allow your body to recover. Additionly, these rests actually allow the muscle fibers to activate in order to continue doing what you love most. It’s not science… well it is .. but you know what I mean. For example, according to the NewYork Times, Cardio and strength training help the body in different ways.
Cardiovascular exercise (anything that increases heart rate) promotes heart and lung health and reduces the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. Strength training boosts the metabolism by building lean muscle mass, preventing obesity and limiting bone loss. Whereas Yoga improves physical fitness, flexibility, and balance while reducing stress and promoting relaxation. It enhances mental clarity, focus, and overall well-being. Regular practice cultivates a mind-body connection, leading to improved posture, better sleep, and increased energy levels. Moreover, Pilates strengthens and tones muscles, focussing on core strength, leading to improved stability, balance, and alignment. The practice also promotes mindfulness, stress reduction, and increased body awareness, contributing to a sense of overall well-being.
Play it safe and prevent injuries
Repetitive stress and overuse injuries are common among individuals who stick to the same exercises without variation. By diversifying your workouts, you give overused muscles and joints a chance to recover. Including low-impact exercises like pilates and swimming lowers the risk of overuse injuries and preserves long-term physical health. Medical expert Sally Wadyka said, “By diversifying your activities, you allow overused muscles, joints, and ligaments to rest and recover before engaging them again. In case of injury, engaging in a different activity that doesn’t strain the same body part enables you to stay fit and heal simultaneously.” Trust Sally and prioritise your well-being.
Another example of how the variety of exercise you do can prevent injuries for instance is practicing yoga. Yoga circulates synovial fluid in the moveable joints, (eg. your knees!) this can prevent injuries caused by osteoporosis. More intense and high impact workouts such as HIIT can actually increase your bone density whilst turning fat into muscle. Reducing the risk of arthritis and generally creates stability which lowers risk of sprained ankles, dislocated joints and so on.
Don’t forget your mental health!
Varying your exercise is not just beneficial for the body, it also has a profound impact on mental health too. According to another article by News Medical, Studies show that physical activity has benefits for the brain, too. Learning a new skill or sequence will keep you mentally sharp and may help prevent depression. Depression itself can have a negative effect on heart health, particularly for patients with heart disease. Varying your workouts stimulates your brain, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting mental well-being.
Trying new exercises challenges your coordination, balance, and agility, keeping your mind sharp. Moreover, the sense of accomplishment and endorphins released during varied workouts contribute to reduced stress levels and improved mood. Tap into some mindfulness and explore new bodily sensations with meditation or deep stretching, such as Yin-yoga and Base flow.
Break the workout routine
Have you ever experienced a fitness plateau where you stop seeing results or become unmotivated to workout? EVEN if you’re a fitness freak who’s loved workouts since day one, it’s always important to spice things up. Let’s face it, when exercise becomes dull and monotonous, it’s challenging to stay motivated. It’s a frustrating phase, but keeping your workouts diverse can help you break through those plateaus. When you challenge your body with new movements and workouts, you engage different muscle fibers and stimulate growth. Incorporating different types of exercise into your routine keep things interesting and maintains enthusiasm, resulting in a more consistent routine. From boxing and barre to yoga and strength training, there is a vast array of options to explore. By infusing enjoyment into your fitness routine, you are more likely to stick with it and achieve long-term success. As you step outside of your confort zone, continuous challenge leads to ongoing progress, improved performance, and the achievement of new fitness milestones. It can be difficult to branch out but it’ll be well worth it!
To conclude
Varying your exercises unlocks numerous benefits for your body and mind. For instance, breaking monotony, targeting different muscles and challenging your body. It also prevents injuries, enhances cognitive function, and adds enjoyment, taking your fitness journey to new heights. Embrace exercise variety, explore new activities, and discover the incredible transformation it brings to your overall.
Looking for local options in the Netherlands? workout in the comfort of your own home? Fear not! Experience BodyBase studios with 20+ unique workouts including Reformer fitness, reformer pilates-yoga, mat yoga, barre, boxing, and kickboxing! Prefer working out at home? You’re in luck! We’ve launched the BaseLine ACE reformer machine, offering a variety of exercises, intensities, and more!