The case for switching up your fitness routine for better health and longevity.
You know the feeling: You’ve been committed to a certain fitness routine for a while when, all of a sudden, it gets stale. With so much equipment and unlimited classes available at the Club, you have options. And according to Jacques Delaugère, Tier X instructor at Equinox in New York City, having a short attention span is a major asset to everyday athletes—not just now, but for years to come.
“The benefits of carrying out numerous sports and workouts are almost limitless,” says Delaugère, adding that the more sports you participate in, the more diverse of an athlete you’ll become. (Hockey player Wayne Gretzky, runner-turned-triathlete Colleen Quigley, and Lebron James have all added new movement patterns to the rotation to make themselves more rounded athletes and fierce competitors.)
However, it’s not just elite athletes who benefit from being promiscuous with their workouts. Delaugère says that almost anyone can make gains by picking up new skills. Below, he breaks down why you should change up your workout for longevity, if it’s possible to overdo it, and the signs you’re ready to try something new at the gym.
Why You Should Think About Mixing up Your Workouts
That said, the ability to pivot from strength training to yoga to running at the drop of a hat isn’t the only reason to shake things up. “As for trying lots of various workouts, we really benefit from the different styles of movement because we will avoid overuse of the same muscles, which decreases the risk of injury, helps us learn new motor skills, and keeps your brain sharp,” says Delaugère.
Given that avoiding injuries as you age is one of the best ways to ensure that you live a high quality of life, there’s no denying that an exercise regimen that keeps you healthy and mobile from head to toe is the one you want to prioritize. Plus, adds Delaugère, doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that (all while consistently challenging your body) keeps things fun, which is key for working out for a good time and a long time.
All of this said, you may be someone who has a life-long relationship with one particular sport—and that’s alright, too. You may just want to incorporate different movement patterns as well. “If you don't ever switch up your patterns, you're not necessarily putting your health at risk, but more likely you'll find yourself at a plateau, missing the opportunities to enhance your strength because your body has fully adapted to the stimulus,” says Delaugère.
Just keep in mind that your body will let you know when it’s ready to explore new horizons. “Some simple signs it's time to change up your workout can include boredom of the routine, possible injury from too much repetition of the same exercise patterns, and the key indicator is that you're not seeing results—whether it be performance wise with the exercises or physically with your body,” says Delaugère.
The Best Types of Workouts for Longevity
“A lot of research will support that the best workouts for longevity are the ones that are lower impact on the joints, but think cardio specifically to keep your heart healthy, strength training to keep your bones strong, and don't forget mobility and flexibility to ensure you keep your balance intact,” says Delaugère.
Luckily, you can get a mix of these with Equinox classes like Sculpt, Cycle Power, and Yoga Strong, or run your own workouts with the equipment on the floor.
Is It Possible to Switch up Your Workouts Too Often?
Not really, says Delaugère. “The risks of switching your movements up too often aren't anything to be concerned about, but studies show that we typically take three to six weeks to master a new skill,” he says.
Of course, it’s still a smart idea to gradually introduce your body to new things so you don’t shock your system. For example, you wouldn’t want to jump from strength training to running long distances without slowly building your cardio first.
Otherwise, feel free to let things go when they’re no longer fun; you can always return to them later on. Your fitness life will be long (longer still if you’re mixing things up and taking care to incorporate cardio, strength, mobility and flexibility), so make the most every day and every workout.