by Carolina Dream Chapman

Created on: April 25, 2007   Last Updated: April 26, 2007

Aerobic workouts are important for everyone whether you want to lose a lot of weight, the last 5 lbs or you just want to maintain your current fitness level. In order to maximize our workouts we need to change things occasionally so that we can reap maximum benefits. I personally love to workout, and am always trying to find ways to maximize my workouts while also avoiding pitfalls such as being bored or stuck in a fitness rut. Over the years, I have found a few things that have maximized my workouts.

Add variety to your workouts

In order to maximize your aerobic workout you will need to mix it up occasionally. Not only will you get bored with the same old workout day after day your body will adjust to the workout and you will not continue to get results. Therefore, you should mix it up occasionally by doing so you will keep yourself interested and your body will stay challenged.

Challenge yourself

For a bit of challenge, learn something new. I have always found that I get greater benefit from my workouts when I try something new. The reason is when you do something completely different than you are used to doing you will work different muscles or you will work the muscles in a way that you haven't worked them previously.

Find something you enjoy

Make sure you pick aerobic workouts that you enjoy. If you are bored or don't like what you are doing you will eventually stop working out or you will not give your all during the workout. If you enjoy your workout, you will look forward to doing it and you will give your all through out your workout session.

Increase intensity with weights

By adding light hand weights occasionally during your aerobic workout you can increase the intensity of your workout which while also getting in a little extra strength building at the same time.

Mix your aerobics in with your strength building routine

When working out with free weights or any other form of strength building workout add a three to five minute aerobic burst before your workout and then do an aerobic burst when you switch from one exercise to another. These bursts can be as simple as jogging in place, doing jumping jacks, dancing or anything else you can think of that will get your heart rate up. By doing this you will be able to keep your heart rate up while you are doing your strength building. A sure fire way to keep from getting bored and before you know it you will have your aerobics and strength building done for the day.

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