Switch up your exercise routine

Building in a little variety might help you stick with it

It’s that time of year. Feeling a bit stuffed from the holidays, people resolve to get in shape in January.

There are lots of reasons people then fall off the wagon by mid-February, but I think an under-explored one is just how boring exercise can be. Running on a treadmill feels like you’re on a hamster wheel (even if you are watching a compelling TV show). Doing the same weight circuit, following along with the same kind of video, or even doing the same running route outside can feel stale fast.

Sometimes routines are helpful. But if you believe that any exercise is better than nothing, then there’s a lot to be said for taking a different approach.