Running is a great way to get fit and keep your body trim and toned.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, there comes a time when your neighbourhood run starts to become a little mundane, or too easy.
When this happens, it’s time to change the routine and make it a little harder.
This will not only freshen up your routine, but also create great fitness benefits and ensure that you keep mentally fresh by changing a few variables to make the run harder.
The following are different variables you can employ to make your run that little bit harder:
- Attack that hill you always avoid in your run. The incline will not only have your lungs working more, it will also build the strength endurance up in your quadriceps, calves and glutes as well.
- Run with small 0.5kg or 1kg dumbbells to build the strength up in your upper body.
- Start your long run with three fast hill sprints to elevate the heart rate and work with pre-fatigued muscles. This overload at the start will make you work harder during your regular routine.
- If you live near the beach perform part of your regular run on the soft sand to make the body work harder on the softer surface, and cover a few sandhills for added energy expenditure.
Remember, the body needs to keep changing for progression, both physically and mentally. Don’t get caught in the rut of doing the same thing day in, day out.
Happy training!
Lukas Chodat is the director of Chodat Fitness.