by Julia Beirut

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: January 30, 2011

A varied exercise regimen is important to maintaining motivation. Exercising at the gym and hiking outdoors both offer superb fitness benefits. Try to exercise both indoors and out to vary your routine and keep your workouts stimulating.

Exercising at the gym provides a chance to participate in many different fitness activities.Many gyms offer yoga, nautilus, free weights, step classes, spinning classes, swimming, walking treadmills, a running track, and dance classes.

When exercising at the gym one has the option of working out independently or using a personal trainer to help motivate you and teach you the exercise routines. One may also work out in a class with friends or just do the nautilus circuit on your own. Whatever your mood or athletic skill level there is an activity at the gym that is perfect for you.

Try out a variety of activities at the gym; you may find something new that you really enjoy. Set a certain time to go to the gym to help you achieve your goals. Soon enough heading off to the gym will feel as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth.

Gyms also offer a chance to meet new people. Shared activities are often a great bond in relationships, so if you meet that special someone at the gym you already know you both like to exercise. Flirting should never be a priority at the gym, but if cupid's arrow strikes enjoy it.

Exercising outdoors offers the added benefit of enjoying nature to your workout routine. After a day inside at work or at home it is a glorious feeling to get outside and breathe the fresh air, feel the sun on your body, and enjoy the wind bringing you the scents of nature. Outdoor exercise impacts all of the senses; it is very energizing and helps the body stay in rhythm to the cycle of night and day. Outdoor exercise also strongly promotes deep sleep. It is often very easy to drop off to sleep after a day that included outdoor exercise.

It is important to prepare to exercise outdoors. Apply sunscreen and ensure you have emergency identification located either in a pocket or a shoe. Let someone know your exercise routines and never exercise alone in a remote area.

When exercising outdoors do not exceed your workout limitations. Ensure you do not find yourself far from home on a bike ride and realize you are too tired to make the ride back home. Use common sense and stretch your potential a bit but do not over do it.

Keep a journal of your outdoor exercise time and note any spectacular sights you saw. This will give you something to read when you need motivation and will help you remember your experiences. If the sunset is glorious as you are jogging take a few moments to write about it when you get home. Writing helps solidify goals too, so at the start of the journal write a page or two about your fitness goals.

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