Do you set specific goals for your workouts, or do you go with the flow? If you’re more of a flow type, consider incorporating some goal-setting into your routine. Your goals can be big or small, and based on consistency, reps, weight, distance, or speed. Read ahead to see how this can benefit you.

Short-term goals become long-term habits

Setting short-term goals that you know you can accomplish (e.g., working out twice a week, adding one more rep to your next set) can increase satisfaction and encourage long-term commitment and discipline. Having a clear reason to show up for your workout makes you more likely to do it. Think of short-term goals like a to-do list. You get that accomplished feeling of crossing something off, which leads to better long-term satisfaction in your routine. 

Structure leads to success

Creating goals can help you understand your “why” and hone in on your objectives, leading to more focused and tailored plans and results. If your overall goal is to run a marathon, you’ll create shorter-term plans to increase your running mileage or incorporate cross-training or targeted stretching. 

Track your progress 

It can be hard to see incremental changes to your fitness on a day-to-day basis. By setting and accomplishing goals, you’ll see progress in real time. This is rewarding and motivates you to keep going. It also helps break you out of plateaus; when you see your strength or endurance increasing, you know it’s time to move to the next milestone.

What are some of your fitness goals? Let us know, and be sure to tag us in your sweaty selfies! 

Have you ever gotten into a workout rut? Suddenly your usual routine feels stale, you’re slogging through classes you normally love, maybe your energy is lower, and your motivation drops. While a bummer, this happens to everyone from time to time. Mixing up your workout routine is a great way to reinvigorate yourself – and it can also be really great for your fitness! Both your body and your brain reap the benefits of trying new activities. Here are X positive outcomes to switching things up. 

1. Prevent injury

Overuse injury or “repetitive strain injury” can occur if you work the same muscles over and over. This happens from putting your body repetitive motions. When you change the type of workout you’re doing, you give your most-used muscles a chance to rest and recover. Which leads us to the next benefit…

2. Build new muscles

When you mix up the types of exercise you do, you naturally engage different muscles that might not always get as much attention. Unless you have specific targeted fitness goals or are a professional athlete, a good approach is to do a little of everything. Up your stamina with cardiovascular activity, put those muscles to work with some weights, and increase your flexibility with low-impact body weight movement. It’s all beneficial to your overall health.

3. Get results

People come to the gym with all different goals for their workout. Whether you’re aiming to hit a certain rep count, lift at a heavier weight, or just want to move your body in ways that feel good, changing things up can push you in the right direction. When you do the same activity consistently over time, your body gets used to it. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, introducing new movement will challenge you and help you grow. 

4. Discover a new passion 

Your new favorite workout could be the next new thing you try! While routines are great, they can also prevent us from branching out. Are you normally a high-intensity exerciser? Maybe a lower-impact activity like barre or pilates will engage your brain and body in a totally new and welcome way (and trust us, you will feel the burn). Usually hit the gym solo and do your own thing? Try a class, maybe you’ll be your new best workout bud! 

MINT offers over 60 classes per week in a variety of formats. Offerings include cycling, HITT, rowing, strength training, barre, pilates, yoga, dance, and more. Equipment in the open gym is updated consistently as well, with new machines being added regularly. We encourage you to try one new thing this week! Whether a new-to-you class (check out our new stretching workshop on the weekends!), a different time of day, or a higher/lower intensity workout, let us know how it goes. 

Do you love a routine? Or are you more of a “try something new every week” kind of person? However you choose to move your body, we’re here for it!