I’ve been hitting the gym for about a decade now. Over that time, my reasons for going and how I exercise have changed a lot. When I first started, I stuck to what felt safe — the cross-trainer, bike, and pull-up machine — because those were the machines I actually knew how to use. A few years in, I got a personal trainer who showed me the ropes with weights. Suddenly, I went from hating squats to happily loading 40kg on my back. I’ve cycled through phases — yoga for mental calm, training for a half marathon, and even a stretch where I just couldn’t bring myself to exercise at all. That last phase was rough; the joy was gone, and the persistent muscle soreness made me dread workouts.
Here’s the thing: breaks are necessary, and nobody is perfect about exercise forever. But when my routine fades away, I’m noticeably less happy. So, keeping movement exciting is key for me — and this time, I’m doing it differently. I’m no longer locked into a rigid plan.
For years, I stuck to traditional weight training — leg day, upper body day, back day, rinse and repeat. Sure, fitness pros rave about consistency and progressive overload (lifting heavier or more reps), and science backs this for muscle growth. It’s how I bulked up my quads, after all. But for someone like me who thrives on variety, it got boring fast. I realized that mixing up the way I work out could be just as effective, if not more enjoyable.
Now, I follow what I call my “fitness activity cocktail.” This means I blend circuit training (my favorite), weightlifting, boxing, yoga, Pilates, barre, with the occasional run or swim. I pay a modest monthly fee to a budget gym that offers most of these classes, and I balance the pricier options like boxing against my other lifestyle choices (no smoking, fewer shopping sprees). I pick what to do each week based on my schedule, mood, and even my menstrual cycle. I always commit to one circuit class and a weights session weekly, but beyond that, it’s flexible. Typically, I squeeze in 3–5 workouts a week, often before work or on quiet Sundays.
I’m honest about my strengths and weaknesses. Pilates? Not my natural talent, and sometimes frustrating. But I crush it in circuits, pushing through tough stations where others might struggle. I embrace my strong points but also lean into challenges. The payoff? I’ve never felt fitter. Hills don’t wind me anymore, battle ropes last longer, and I can hold tough core poses that used to feel impossible. I genuinely look forward to workouts again — boxing and conditioning classes have become the highlight of my days. When people compliment my fitness, I’m upfront: it’s hard work, but I love feeling strong.
And it’s not just me; science agrees this varied approach works. Toby Spooner, a sports scientist and personal trainer, explains that combining different exercises boosts both cardiovascular and muscular systems. Samantha Cubbins, a Gymshark lifting club manager, points out that this variety pushes different fitness components: aerobic workouts improve heart and lung health, strength training builds muscle and metabolism, flexibility exercises reduce injury risk, balance training enhances stability, and HIIT burns fat while improving endurance. Together, they create a well-rounded fitness profile — and keep boredom at bay.
Why does variety matter? Sticking to the same exercises too long leads the body to adapt, which means progress can stall and overuse injuries may creep in. Switching things up spreads the physical stress and keeps you safer, provided your form stays good.
That said, variety isn’t a silver bullet for every goal. If you want to run a faster 10K or build a specific muscle, sticking to a focused, repetitive routine with tweaks in weight or reps is key. Arj Thiruchelvam, a performance coach, warns that too much switching can prevent progress since the body needs about 8–12 weeks on a plan to adapt. But since my current goal is simple — just feeling and looking fitter — mixing it up fits perfectly. Thiruchelvam explains I’m improving strength, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, mobility, flexibility, and core — covering all bases of a solid fitness regimen.
The biggest bonus? Avoiding boredom. When exercise stays fresh, you’re way more likely to keep it up — and that consistency is what really counts long term. It’s like dermatologists saying the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear. The best fitness routine is the one you’ll show up for.
So, will this varied approach work for you? That depends on your goals and personality. When I want to zero in on something specific again, I’ll go back to a more structured plan. But for now, I’m loving the freedom of each week looking different and the joy it brings to my fitness journey.