Exercise Partners and Variety Keep Fitness Fun

By FitPass Network Staff

Why can't I seem to keep with my exercise routine? Most people can probably relate to the yo-yo effect of inconsistent exercise. There are very few of us that are motivated enough to stick with a regular fitness schedule --those most successful at keeping a good routine are either fitness trainers or work within the fitness industry. A recent survey sponsored by Scripps Health , found that more exercise is the number one health goal of San Diegans. As our lives become increasingly complicated and busy; where can we find time to make exercise a higher priority?

Many of us start out with good intentions and a lot of fitness goals are set as New Year’s resolutions or in anticipation of the summer. However, it is easy to fall off the wagon, because let’s face it, it isn’t always fun to exercise. Plus it’s easy to get bored with the same routine, which makes it easier for us to blow off a day of exercise. This only leads to more inconsistent workout habits to the point that many stop exercising all together. I am not immune to this, -- there have been many times in my life that I have neglected my health because of exercise boredom.

In reflecting back to the times that I did find exercise enjoyable, I discovered two ways that kept me interested. One was exercising with friends. First of all, it makes exercise more of a social event, chatting it up with your friends before, after, or even during exercise makes the time go by. When you have others around you, it is easier to keep each other motivated and it has a reinforcing effect for everyone. I would love to get my exercise in while playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, or kickball with friends, but it is virtually impossible to coordinate a game with enough people. Adult sports leagues are great for this, but the cost of those add up, and sometimes it is hard to commit to games at specific times.

One other thing that got me excited about exercising was trying out new things. I remember when spinning was the new craze and I was hooked for several months. But after a while, the exercise honeymoon phase passed and it just didn’t do it for me anymore. Another instance was when a new mixed martial arts studio opened up near my home, so I decided to give that a try. Again, it was really fun to learn different fighting systems and progress through them, but even that got old doing very similar things like punching, kicking, and grappling. I ended up going less and less frequently, which then made my monthly membership too expensive to justify.

Turns out that we aren't alone in this experience. A recent study by researchers at the University of Florida put some science behind my intuition and I found the confirmation I was looking for. The study found that variety leads to both more enjoyment of exercise and better adherence to regular exercise. Now all I have to do is convince my friends to mix it up, which I don’t think will be too difficult.

If you find it difficult to stay with a regular exercise program, adding a little variety can work wonders. So grab a friend and take turns picking something new. Exciting new workout programs are popping up all the time.