Entertaining Workouts

It's 4 days into the new year and I'm sure you are already tired of your boring routine of jogging on the treadmill or doing crunches. So let's make sure you keep those resolutions by spicing it up a little bit!

It takes 6 weeks to instill a new habit so if you are already starting to rethink this whole exercise thing make a commitment to stick it out until the second week of February and you will be 90% more likely to keep going! Stop shy of this 6 week mark and it will be tough to jump back on the wagon.

So what are my exciting workout routines?

1. Downward Dog: If you have a pooch like I do (I mean the dog not the one around your tummy) then this may be the perfect workout for you. Grab your furry best friend and get moving.

Some fun exercises you can do with your pet:

• If you give your dog a command (for example: Sit) and your dog doesn't listen the first time you have to do 10 push-ups or any other exercise you choose. You get some dog training in and a workout!
• Relax with yoga or "Doga", yoga for dogs! You do the same yoga poses while using your dog as an extension of yourself. This website has some good pictures and information http://www.dogadog.com/

2. Trampolinercise: This is a low or no-impact exercise and it can bring you back to your childhood. You can use a large outdoor trampoline or a smaller trampoline.

Some fun exercises you can do on a trampoline:

• Hamstring curls. This is similar to the foot tap except that you bounce on one foot while bringing the other foot up to your buttocks, alternating sides.
• Jumping jacks. Converting this move from a floor exercise to a trampoline exercise eases the pressure on your knees. Remember to be careful to maintain your footing, especially on a mini trampoline.
• Twist bounce. Gently bounce with your feet in the center of the trampoline while twisting your body back and forth
• Add weights. for upper body strength use dumbbells while jumping and add some shoulder presses or punches.

3. Hula Hooping: Just a little hip action and you have got yourself a fun workout. Grab a hula hoop and make mini challenges on how long you can go for. Try it for 30 minutes and you just did the equivalent of 500 sit-ups! Make sure you get an adult size hoop, the kiddo's hula hoop is too light and too small to be effective.

4. Street fitness: Also known as "thug fitness" or "playground fitness." This workout uses outdoor facilities, playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, old tires, scaffolding and street signs. Here are some links:
http://www.streetworkout.com/

5. Interesting extracurricular activities: You could just go join a softball league or a soccer team or you could try some more adventurous routes such as rock climbing, surfing, snow boarding, or even join the circus! Well not literally join the circus but all it would take is installing a trapeze in your garage and you get yourself a fun exercise tool. You may also be able to find a trapeze class at your local gymnastics center. Could be pretty entertaining! Here's a couple class options in the Seattle area http://www.sancaseattle.org/flying-trapeze or http://emeraldcitytrapeze.com/flying.html

6. X-rated workouts: Feeling frisky? Try a pole dance or strip tease class. Ladies love these workouts because they are fun and make everyone feel sexy! You don't workout in lingerie but there are no rules about showing off your new found talents. So go shake what your momma gave you! There are classes locally in Poulsbo, WA http://www.dolphindanceexotic.com/

7. Treadmill Mix-up: Still not ready to leave your traditional workout equipment? That's fine! Try these treadmill workouts to keep the monotony at bay!

• Tune in to your favorite show and, whenever the show is on, run at a moderately-hard pace. At a commercial break (if you DVR, no fast forwarding!), slow the treadmill to an easy pace. Run hard again when the program returns. Repeat the pattern until the show ends. Guaranteed to break up monotony and keep you off snacks during prime time. Just think a 30 minute show will yield you a great 30 minute workout.
• Pyramids can be really beneficial and include intervals. Start with a moderate pace and a zero incline. Increase the incline by 1% each minute until you reach an incline you can no longer sustain then work backwards from your highest incline to zero percent. Try to increase your incline each time you do this workout. It keeps you focused on the minute not the total time.

Hope you have found something that may be interesting to spice up your workouts! Bring a friend and go try something outrageous!