I like to change up my workout routines every six to eight weeks for some variety. Unfortunately, my last two routines were boring to me-pretty much from the start.
I am now one week in with my new routine and love it. In this post, I will share it with you so that maybe you can try it as well!
My boring routines
For quite a while now, I had been doing the same types of workouts-except for when I would review a workout (here is an example). The following is what the workouts looked like:
- Upper body weightlifting- These days would start out my workout routine weeks and they would be done two times. I would do 18-20 minutes on my stepper and then do about ten exercises for three sets each (supersets).
- Cardio and abs- I would do this workout twice a week. It would usually include 30 minutes on the stepper and 15-20 minutes of cardio ladder work. The ab part of the workout always consisted of the same two exercises.
- Lower body weightlifting- These are the last days of my workout routines before I have a rest day. I have been doing supersets with a total of eight or ten exercises.
Boring!
I was no longer being challenged mentally and physically by these workouts. Hell, I even skipped a couple of days due to complete apathy. Doing that was a very clear sign that things needed changing!
It was definitely back to the drawing board. Physical fitness has been extremely important to me for a long time now and if I am not wanting to do my workout- something is wrong.
Back to the beginning
I have been doing weekly strength training workouts (bodyweight and with dumbbells) for around 13 years now. For a while though, I stopped being consistent with how many of the workouts I did per week and what part of the body I would focus on. This occurred during my time as a home daycare provider.
After I closed my home daycare and became just a stay-at-home mom, I decided to get really strict about four days of strength training a week along with having two days of cardio.
I really wasn’t in that great of shape at that time as it was so hard to fit in workouts while running my childcare business. I am sure other daycare providers can relate to that.
When I planned out my strength training workouts back then- I had to take my level of fitness in account. That meant that I could only do short bursts of cardio before going into the strength exercises. I also only did two sets of them.
After around three months of doing those particular strength training workouts- I moved onto what I thought were harder ones. I didn’t look back because I thought they were “too beginner” for me.
Well, now I have looked back!
I figured I could just make the strength training workouts harder to go along with my new level of fitness. I’m not too good for them…jeez! Why the heck am I getting arrogant with myself?
Basically all I have had to do was change things up a bit with the strength workouts. This includes adding a five pounds to the weight I was using before, increasing the amount of time on the cardio bursts, doing more intense cardio exercises, increasing the sets to three instead of two and adding in burnout rounds.
I now have fun and challenging strength workouts to do where I don’t feel like I have to do 20 minutes on the stepper to get a good calorie burn in!
So, here it is
Enough explaining! Here is my workout routine:
Upper body
- Supersets- each weighted exercise is done after one minute of cardio.
- You can substitute the cardio exercises with whatever one you like.
- Each superset is done three times.
- Burnout is done for one or two rounds (or not at all depending on how I am feeling!).
- The workout is done twice a week.
1A. High knees
2A. Chest press
1B. Mountain climbers
2B. Bent over rows
1C. Mountain jacks
2C. Back flyes
1D. Butt kicks
2D. Shoulder press
1E. High knees
2E. Lateral raises
1F. Mountain climbers
2F. Bicep curls and then triceps extensions
Burnout-
Regular pushups, wide pushups and triceps dips.
Cardio and abs
Various ones from Fitness Blender and YouTube- two times per week.
Lower body
- Supersets- each weighted exercise is done after one minute of cardio.
- You can substitute the cardio exercise with whatever one you like.
- Each superset is done three times.
- Burnout is done for one or two rounds (or not at all depending how I am feeling!).
- The workout is done twice a week.
1A. Jump squats
2A. Deadlifts
1B. Jump lunges
2B. Squats
1C. Jump squats with alternating front kicks
2C. Stiff legged deadlifts
1D. Jump lunges with alternating side raises
2D. Side lunges
1E. Mountain jacks
2E. Reverse lunges
1F. Jump squats
2F. Plie squats
Burnout-
Alternating leg raises in a crawl position and Pilates swimming exercise.
You might love this routine, too!
I know that this workout routine is going to get me in even better condition or at least help me maintain the level I am at, currently. My body is definitely being challenged more as the calories burned on my fitness watch shows over 100 more than usual.
I would highly recommend trying out at least one of the strength workouts because you might find them challenging as well. Let me know if you do!
What workouts are you guys doing these days?
Here is a set of dumbbells that I recommend getting for your lighter lifts.
Here is a great cardio ladder option if you are interested in starting that kind of workout.
Thanks for reading!
#homeworkouts #workoutbench #weightlifting #womenwholift #fitmoms #homegym #cardioworkouts #fitnessblender
conqueringthislife.com 