Variation in training - Why?
Therefore, you should vary the training
There are several advantages to varying your training. We go through some of those advantages in today's article.
Advantages of varied training:
- Prepared for more
- Reduced risk of injury
- Increased motivation
Prepared for more. If we train in widely different physical activities, we increase the breadth of what we can handle. It greatly facilitates the varying challenges and physical demands of everyday life.
Reduced risk of injury. Exercising the same thing every day increases the risk of wear and tear injuries and that we become unevenly trained. This can, for example, lead to a crooked posture, constantly stiff muscles and poorer recovery. A varied training schedule means that we can train often, but safely.
Increased motivation. It is not unusual that sooner or later you end up in a slump with training. If these depressions get into our heads, there is a big risk that we will eventually get rid of them completely. By exercising variedly, we can keep our heads stimulating and avoid getting stuck in negative thought spirals.
Difficult to vary the training
For those of you who have not started to vary your training, this can of course be difficult at first. Here are therefore some tips for how you can start to vary yourself:
- Change environment
- Try new forms of exercise
- Use different tools
Change environment. Train outdoors instead of indoors or change gyms to break established patterns. Your body works in more places than in the usual ruts!
Try new forms of exercise. If you usually put all your energy into lifting junk, dare to break the patterns and give pilates a try. Maybe this changes your life fundamentally, or your love for the old form of exercise is strengthened. It can't go wrong.
Use different tools. Vary between free weights, machines, body weight and exercise bands. Challenge yourself to master different ways to exercise.
Tips on variety of training
Last but not least come some really interesting combinations of training forms that really strengthen each other:
- Strength training and yoga
- HIIT(High-Intensity Interval Training) and long-distance running
- Martial arts and swimming
Strength training and yoga. Complement the muscle building by training flexibility and mental focus. Enjoy a strong body that is also mobile.
HIIT(High-Intensity Interval Training) and long-distance running. This combo develops both explosiveness and endurance in both the short and long term.
Martial arts and swimming. This thunder combo basically trains everything. Coordination, speed and strength meet a form of training characterized by inner focus and being able to maintain calm. Can it get any better?
"Variety is the spice of life, that gives it all its flavor." - William Cowper.
Although the 18th century poet Cowper was not an athlete (that we know of), his words capture the very essence of why variety in exercise is important not only for physical development, but also for keeping the passion for movement alive.