By RMHP
There’s no shortage of new and innovative fitness routines to try, but there’s also no harm in keeping things simple. In fact, “back to basics” fitness routines are seeing an uptick in popularity — think minimal equipment, home workouts, group classes you can pop into as it suits your schedule, and more.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed with the idea of weightlifting, fancy new types of yoga involving equipment, and other more complicated fitness regimes, keep reading to learn how to simplify the way you work out. Then commit to trying one of these routines on your own.
Ah, running. Whether you love it or love to hate it, working out doesn’t get much simpler than hitting the pavement, trail, or treadmill for some good old-fashioned cardio.
If you prefer running outside, check out one of these 5 Great Places for Trail Running on the Western Slope. If you’re not quite sure of the best way to get a run in during winter, this guide will help you get started: Winter Running in Colorado: Essential Exercises and Workouts.
Once you’re used to lacing up your shoes and getting moving, challenge your body in new ways by adding intervals of sprinting.
You could go all out and build a home gym, but we’re sticking to the basics today.
Fitness DVDs and videos are an amazing way to get a killer workout in at home. With so many options it can be hard to choose one, though. This article from Jitter Fitness has handy reviews of 20 top options to get you started.
You can also find fitness videos on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. If you don’t use a streaming service, YouTube has tons of free content to help you work out at home.
If you live in the city there are still plenty of ways to get a great workout without hitting the gym or heading to the closest trail. For example, you might head to a local playground to channel your inner kid and get an awesome bodyweight workout at the same time.
Do some pull-ups on the monkey bars (try “negatives” if you can’t complete a full pull-up — jump to the top of the pull-up and lower your body down as slowly as possible). Jump over low objects and get a great plyometric workout. You could even go for a post-workout swing, which is bound to put a smile on your face.
If you work out better when someone else leads the way, fitness classes can’t be beat. For some people, there’s something incredibly motivating about working out surrounded by others.
Winter is a great time to try hot yoga, especially if the cold weather leaves you feeling unmotivated. Barre workouts are also extremely popular and very challenging. Try searching for fitness classes in your area until you find something that sounds fun.
Many studios and gyms even offer free trial memberships, so there’s no reason not to get out there and try a class.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find your new favorite fitness routine!