(Photo by Abraaj)

When I came out of the locker room at the gym this afternoon, there were about ten people using the cardio equipment. Basically, the gym was dead. I filled my water bottle at the water fountain, grabbed a sweat towel and headed toward the usual suspect: the treadmill. To get there, I had to pass the usually occupied, new motorized stair climber machines (think walking up the down escalator). I considered climbing on but hesitated, thinking up several reasons why I should keep walking. I might kill myself by tripping up the steps and getting caught in the machinery. I didn’t know how to start it or set the time. And the biggest excuse: the machine sits up high, making the exerciser stand out like a sore thumb. If I did something foolish, everyone would see it.

Before I go any further, there are three things you should know about me:

1. I am a creature of habit.
2. I am a klutz.
3. I am somewhat self-conscious about exercising in front of other people.

Can you relate?

If you can relate to any of these characteristics you might find yourself regularly avoiding the gym. And when you do finally drag yourself there, you’re likely gravitating toward the same cardio machines and strength training routines. We all do it. We find something we like and we do it—over and over and over again. While the regular exercise is good for your health and well-being, this lack of variety doesn’t make it any easier to motivate yourself to get to the gym. It can also work against you if your plan is to improve your cardiovascular fitness and tone your entire body.

Switch it up for fitness AND fun!

If you’re always doing the same thing, eventually your body will get used to it and your progress will slow or stop. Without anything new to excite you or motivate you, you might even lose interest in exercising altogether. To avoid this, you’ll need to change things up a little bit. That’s where Trying Something New comes in. If trying a new machine or routine is intimidating, start slowly. There are plenty of ways to overcome the inertia of the Same Old Routine.

Tips for trying something new:

• Promise yourself that you can go back to the Usual Suspect if you do Something New for the first five minutes of your workout.
• Try one new piece of equipment or exercise a week.
• Read any available instructions before starting the machine.
• Find a trainer or friendly looking gym-goer who knows how to use the equipment you’re scoping out and ask for a demo.
• If all else fails, watch a few people using the equipment you’re interested in and try it once you think you’ve got the hang of it.

Standing in front of that stair climber today, something odd happened. I felt excitement at the thought of trying something new. The stars were aligned and I knew the opportunity might not present itself again. I climbed on board and, after a few minutes fiddling with the control screen, figured out how to start the thing. I climbed for 30 minutes and I actually enjoyed it. Once my legs got the hang of it, it wasn’t any more complicated than walking on the treadmill. My body was responding differently, and I could feel different muscle groups working. My heart rate rose into my target zone relatively quickly and stayed there. And now, as I write this I’m hoping that tomorrow, when I come out of that locker room in my workout clothes, that stair climber is free again. For variety’s sake, it’s probably better if it isn’t, though.

What are your favorite workouts? Are you a creature of habit at the gym or do you spice things up with variety? How do you break the monotony of the same old routine?

Ami writes about her attempts to stay healthy, live a local and green life and write that Great American Novel (or something like it) at Writing: My Life.