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If you know exercise is important and you're making time for a well-rounded fitness routine, good for you! But you may become bored with the same routine day after day. And if you're bored, you may be more apt to lose interest after a while.
If it's time to add a new spark to your fitness routine, here are three ideas to consider:
- Aquatic exercise
Swimming pools are not just for swimming laps. Aquatic fitness options also include aerobics and resistance training. Mayo Clinic's health and wellness experts endorse an approach that splits your time in and out of the pool. For instance, warm up in the pool with some deep-water jogging and then jump out of the water to do pushups, planks or lunges on your towel poolside. Next, dive back into the water for some kickboarding, weightlifting and more jogging. - Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body practice of physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation. In addition to the fitness benefits, this combination of physical and mental disciplines can help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind, and reduce your feelings of stress. Here are some examples of yoga poses. - Tai chi
Tai chi is a graceful form of exercise involving a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Tai chi is noncompetitive and self-paced. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. Here's a video describing tai chi.
Adding new elements to your workout will challenge your body and engage your interest. Remember, exercise doesn't have to be boring, and you're more likely to stick with a fitness program if you're having fun.
Connect with others, share your progress and get encouragement in the Healthy Living group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online patient community moderated by Mayo Clinic.
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