Spicing Up Your Workout

A few weeks ago, we talked about being more health conscious in the new year and we shared a few exercises to jump-start your day. One of the keys to exercising is changing up your routine—after all, doing the same thing repeatedly can get a bit boring. Adding new exercises into your workout can help spice up your routine and keep the motivation going strong! So here are a few exercises that you likely aren’t doing.

• Mountain Climber: Assume a pushup position with your arms completely straight, but place your hands on a Swiss ball (workout ball) instead of the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your ankles. Tighten your core and hold it that way for the duration of the exercise. Lift one foot off the floor and slowly raise your knee as close to your chest as you can without changing your lower-back posture. Then repeat with your other leg. Alternate back and forth for 30 seconds.
• Hip Raise: Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now brace your core, squeeze your glutes, and raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause for 3 to 5 seconds—squeezing your glutes tightly the entire time—then lower back to the start.
• Lunge: Hold a dumbbell in your right hand next to your shoulder, with your arm bent. Step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your right knee is bent at least 90 degrees and your left knee nearly touches the floor. Push yourself back to the starting position. That’s 1 rep. Do all your reps, then repeat with your left leg, while holding the weight in your left hand. Don’t have dumbbells? Don’t worry, you can still do this without weights.
• McGill Curlup: Lie on your back on the floor with your right leg straight and flat on the floor. Your left knee should be bent and your left foot flat. Place your hands palms down on the floor underneath the natural arch in your lower back . Slowly raise your head and shoulders off the floor without bending your lower back or spine, and hold this position for 7 to 8 seconds, breathing deeply the entire time. That’s 1 rep. Do 4 to 5 reps, then switch legs and repeat. To make it even harder, raise your elbows off the floor as you curl up.

Adding a little variety in your workout is key to maintaining a consistent and fun routine. All the exercises mentioned above can be down in the comfort of your own home. Do you have any favorite or secret exercises that you like to add to your workout? How are you keeping your routine fresh and fun?

*Exercises courtesy of Women’sHealth.