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Importance Of Switching Up Your Workout Routine

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Naturally, humans are creatures of habit and routine. Usually, when we find an exercise or fitness routine that we like, and maybe even see results from (if that’s your goal) then we like to stick to that routine. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with heading to the same class, the same elliptical, or even picking up the same weights. However you choose to move your body and prioritize your health, both physical and mental, we’re fans of it! But there are some benefits that do come with varying your fitness routine. Your body and your brain both reap the benefits of trying new activities, stimulating different muscle groups, and preventing boredom. 

Personal Training Client with A Trainer and Kettlebell

Switching up your fitness routine can… 

  • Help prevent overuse injuries 
    • By mixing up your workouts you can give any overused muscles and joints a chance to rest and recover. Performing a different activity that doesn’t strain the same part of the body is always great! It’s all about balance. 
  • Build new muscles
    • When it comes to recreational exercises we recommend doing a little bit of everything! Doing this will allow you to build a strong heart and powerful body. By adding variety to your workouts you not only prevent overuse injuries but it gives you the opportunity to give some TLC to different muscle groups you may be inadvertently ignoring with your typical routine. The more you work all of your muscles the stronger your entire body becomes. 
  • Beat boredom and keep your brain healthy
    • Adding variety helps keep your workouts from getting stale. By taking new classes or trying different equipment your brain is also learning new skills that help keep your brain sharp. The key to beating boredom and keeping your brain healthy is to choose exercises that keep you engaged. 
  • Help you meet new workout partners 
    • As you probably know, we’re advocates for workout buddies! Having a partner to work out with is a great way to stay engaged and committed. Trying a new class is a great way to meet new people who likely have similar interests, at the very least, similar fitness interests! 
  • Help you break through plateaus
    • When you do the same activity all the time your body gets used to it. So, regardless if your goal is weight loss, strength training, flexibility, or anything in between, it’s important to continuously challenge yourself. Whenever you introduce a new exercise or activity your body will have to work harder allowing you to push through and continue to grow to achieve your goals. Always remember that success is never linear. Periods of plateau, growth, and regression are all natural and necessary in reaching your goals. 

Now… what do you do next to add more variety to your fitness routine? We recommend checking out our class schedule linked here or connecting with a personal trainer. Our class offerings include MINT Ride Cycle, Signature Power Playground/HIIT, Power Row, FLEX Strength Training, MINT Barre, MINT Box, Dance, Yoga, TRX, Mat Pilates, and Meditation. 

Interested in some one-on-one attention? We recommend connecting with one of our talented and knowledgeable personal trainers. Learn more about our personal training here.

How To Stay Motivated

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Motivation and determination are the keys to any success. This especially applies to fitness. Whether you start working towards a fitness goal and get bored, don’t see the results in a timeline that you expected, or get caught up with other priorities…we’ve all been there. The important thing is making the conscious choice to begin again. 

Personal Trainer James Parker-Ashley Leading a Boxing Class

When it came to wanting to write a blog focused on tips for staying motivated it was a no-brainer that we thought to consult our Master Personal Trainer, James Parker-Ashley. James joined the MINT team back in 2016 and has been able to balance a thriving personal training career at MINT and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

How does he do it? Well… we asked him! Check out these pro tips to stay motivated. 

 

  • Rember, fitness is for life. 

When you make the decision to prioritize your health or achieve a fitness goal it’s important to realize that long-term success comes from making fitness a part of your daily routine rather than just a means to reach your goals. Find ways to incorporate movement and physical activity every day. That doesn’t mean you need to make it to the gym 7 days a week 52 weeks a year but finding natural ways to move your body that fit into your lifestyle (along with more challenging workouts) will be the key to long-term success. 

 

 

  • Make it something you enjoy

Throughout life, there are going to be countless things that we “have” to do that doesn’t bring us joy. Don’t make fitness one of those things. There are so many different ways to move your body and be physically active you should find the approach that you enjoy and look forward to the most! Love to dance and let loose? Try Zumba! Are you looking for something that allows you to own how challenging your workout is day-to-day? Pilates may be perfect for you. Looking to zone out and get out of your own head? We’d recommend cycle! The fitness pathways are endless. The best thing? At MINT you can try a variety of styles allowing you to find the perfect fit. 

 

 

  • Find a support system

You are not in this alone. Look to your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors (whoever!) to join you! Having a support system not only helps keep you accountable but also makes for more fun, engaging workout. 

 

 

  • Reward yourself along the way 

Remember to celebrate the small wins along the way to your larger goals. Being able to provide an internal reward (or sometimes even external!) can help keep you on track to a long-term commitment to regular exercise. 

 

 

  • Allow for periods of grace

No one is productive 100% of the time. If you’re too busy, are discouraged by not seeing results, or just don’t feel up to it, take a day off! We live in a world of constant pressures and it’s important to go easy on yourself. There is strength in recognizing when your body (and mind) needs a break and when you’re ready to jump back into it. You need the balance of push and pull in order to maintain healthy and steady growth. 

 

“Repeat this to yourself… You will not lose if you do not quit. Whatever “winning’ or “losing” looks like to you, you will always have the opportunity to achieve your goals if you consciously make the decision not to quit. Recognize when you need to rest versus when you decide to quit.” – James Parker-Ashley 

Stretching Tips

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We all know the importance of exercising but what about the importance of stretching? Stretching shouldn’t take a back seat to your health and wellness routine as it can help improve your range of motion and decrease your risk of injury – among other benefits! Two members stretching their legs at at bar

Studies have shown stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion in your joints.

Better flexibility may:

  • Improve your performance in physical activities
  • Decrease your risk of injuries
  • Help your joints move through their full range of motion
  • Increase muscle blood flow
  • Enable your muscles to work most effectively
  • Improve your ability to do daily activities

Before you jump into stretching it’s important to make sure you do it safely and effectively. Just like any other exercise, the technique is key!

Use these tips to prioritize safe stretching.

  • Don’t consider stretching a warmup. You may hurt yourself if you stretch cold muscles. We recommend warming up with light walking, jogging, or biking at a low intensity for 5-10 minutes. Or, of course, after your workout!
  • Strive for symmetry. Everyone’s genetics for flexibility are different. Focus on having equal flexibility side to side.
  • Focus on major muscle groups. Concentrate your stretches on major muscle groups such as calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck, and shoulders.
  • Don’t bounce. Stretching should be a smooth movement. Bouncing as you stretch can injure your muscle and may contribute to muscle tightness.
  • Hold your stretch. As you work through the various muscle groups remember to breathe normally and hold each stretch for about 30 seconds.
  • Keep up with your stretching. Though stretching can be time-consuming you can achieve the most benefits by stretching regularly, at least two to three times a week.

At MINT we’ve designed a dedicated stretching area at the front of the club, right next to our Member Lounge! Enjoy a quiet, light-filled area, with plenty of room to stretch and some equipment to help!

 

Mayo Clinic Resource

What Are The Benefits Of Rowing?

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Did you know that we introduced Power Row in the spring of 2021? Our Rowing program is designed for all levels to enjoy. It combines high-intensity rowing on our Concept 2 Rowers countered with strength + conditioning + core exercises, resulting in the perfect balance of cardio and full body strength training. Rowing incorporates the entire body, offering an extremely effective and balanced workout with limited to no impact.

Rowing class in MINT Dupont Studio

We recently asked our Intensity Director, Braegan Padley, about some of the benefits of fitness-style rowing. Her top 5 benefits included…

  1. It’s of the most efficient exercises to improve overall fitness 
  2. It’s estimated 84% of muscles are used every stroke
  3. It’s low impact 
  4. It’s both an anaerobic and aerobic exercise
  5. It burns 2-3 times the calories compared to cycling and running

Sign up for a Power Row class today!

Recommendations For Getting Started With Fitness Classes

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Jumping into the group exercise world can be overwhelming. If you have never entered this space or are hopping back in, here’s your guide to finding your “fit” here at MINT. 

Group of members boxing at MINT

Figure Out What Movement Your Body Responds To. 

  • The MINT schedule has a wide variety of classes with varying intensities. Read the class description online and choose a few to try out! 

Know Each Instructor Is Different.

  • While the class title may be the same, each instructor puts their own spin on the session. Take some time to experiment with each of our incredible instructors to see who you work with the best!

Remember Movement Is A Practice. 

  • In any MINT class, the goal is never perfection—it’s progress. Like any skill, strength and movement take time to build up. Give yourself the grace to remember movement is a lifelong practice! MINT classes provide the opportunity to both try new skills and build on existing strengths in a safe, empowering space. 

Remember Group Classes Aren’t Competition, They’re Community.

  • MINT prides itself on its inclusive environment, especially in our group exercise classes. Our community is here to hype you up throughout your wellness journey! While participating in a class is YOUR self-care time, there is the extra bonus of built-in friends and cheerleaders. 

Sign up for a class this week! 

Hot Tips For Your First MINT Power Playground Class

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Never taken a MINT signature Power Playground class but always wanted to? Check out these tips from our Cycling Director and Power Playground instructor Ori Korin before jumping into your first class!

Empty MINT Intensity Studio with views of weights.

  1. HYDRATE! (Don’t follow Ori’s lead, hydrate with water, not iced coffee – iykyk)
  2. Get your Life Together: This is the kind of class where you want to wear your good socks, the ones that don’t slip; your best workout headband — no bangs in the face…you know what we mean. Don’t let your gear get in the way of your EXPERIENCE.
  3. Arrive To Class Early. If you’re in the gym: get there early and set up your space, taking note of the equipment you’re using and grabbing different varieties you may need. If you’re at home: Zoom on in, load your playlist, set up your space, and make sure you can see AND hear your coach!
  4. Ask Questions. Feel free to ask questions, take a lower-or-higher-impact option, or scale the workout however you need – this is not a performance or a contest!
  5. Encourage Your Fellow MINT Members. Whether you’re on-screen or in person, cheer on your fellow classmates, and yourself! It’s always more fun — and research tells us we get better results — with positive reinforcement!
  6. Post-Class Review. After class, take stock of what felt good, what needed improvement, and what you want to try to work on. Each class is an opportunity to train and learn more about your body. If there was something you liked, tell the coach. If there was something that could’ve been better, let them know, too, or submit a feedback form, and maybe try a different instructor next time. MINT has a lot to offer!

For any of our seasoned members, do you have any tips to add? Let us know!