Having fun while working out

Scott Schwab
This may be obvious to many of us when working out, but it is an observation that I see everyday. I am a people watcher and find that the people who are most consistent are those that are with a partner,trainer,friend, those that are participating in the class, and those who mix their workout up and move quickly between exercises. I have also watched countless people come to the gym and get bored of the exercises, stand around talking or watching and eventually burn out. The scientific formula, which is really not scientific at all is to have fun while you are working out. It is proven that we must expend energy to get energy. Your body will naturally respond positively to you pushing it harder. Muscle confusion, which we have talked about many times in previous posts; is what will keep you going back for more. The reason that people who implore muscle confusion keep going back, is they see results faster and they are not doing the same thing over and over again. You can make fun games and challenges for yourself and others. I personally had a good friend that I worked out with this summer. He and I came up with a sit up that really worked great and kept things fun. What we did is put our feet up on a bench and laid on the ground on opposite sides of the bench. The goal was to do a crunch and reach up and slap right hands with right hands and then to switch with your legs on the side of each other and then slap left hands. It was great because we had to depend on each other to get up and hold the crunch while the other was coming up. We could not slow down or quit because we had set a number that we would achieve. The point is this; don't fool yourself with thoughts of, "well I will go to the gym and do this or that". Decide what you will do and set the numbers that you will do. This is why I always stress the 10 reps and 4 sets. This way I never can let myself off the hook, because I know what I can and will do, even when I do not feel like it. In conclusion I suggest to go to the gym with someone, join a class, or make the commitment to do certain exercises and go and get er done. You will find more satisfaction with your workout, mentally you will feel better, and ultimately you will have the energy to do everything that you desire within a day.