Feeling Stuck? You Probably Need to Shake Up Your Fitness Routine
By Cristin Van Horn
In the journey to optimal wellness and fitness, variety isn't just the spice of life—it's a crucial ingredient for success that sticks, staying motivated, and overall health improvement. Imagine if, every day, you tuned in to watch Friends and found that no matter which episode was showing, it was always ‘The One with Ross’s Sandwich.’ Sure, it's a classic, but after a while, you'd probably beg for some variety. Change up the channel, switch the storyline, right? Well, that’s exactly what your fitness routine craves too! At the core of a balanced fitness regimen lies the principle of variety, something Jane DO has taken to heart.
Here's why diversifying your fitness routine is pivotal, and how in a sea of boring fitness franchises, Jane is helping women everywhere DO just that.
Keep ‘Em Guessing
Consistency in workouts can improve strength and stamina, but it can often lead to a plateau, both physically and mentally. Doing the same exercises repeatedly can make the spark of enthusiasm dwindle, transforming what used to be invigorating sessions into a monotonous chore. Introducing variety into your workouts, however, challenges the body in new ways, keeps your mind engaged, and reinforces your commitment to yourself.
What’s great about what we DO at Jane, is that while we offer 5 different class types, so that you can switch up your workouts, we also keep every.single.class unique. From the moves, to the playlists, no two classes are ever the same. We DO to ensure that every session feels unique, motivating, and invigorating, keeping boredom at bay.
A Well-Rounded Approach
Many exercise programs prioritize specialization, as in, they only focus on one thing. (Think of a cycle studio or your run of the mill gym franchise). And while peak fitness in a given arena, like a sport, may require peak performance in that specific area, general fitness and overall health doesn’t need to be so specific (and so damn boring). Just like in life, we try to find balance in our workouts, because at Jane, we believe that true fitness is balanced and multi-dimensional.
We also know that incorporating various types of workouts and different exercises can build different muscle groups, improve endurance, flexibility and balance, and reduce the risk of injury. Jane DO embodies this well-rounded approach, because we want our Jane’s to develop strong, mobile, capable bodies, and have fun while DOing it!
Don’t Worry, You CAN Sit With Us
Something that often gets overlooked, is how exclusive fitness communities can be. Don’t worry, there are no mean girls here! Jane DO has made it its mission to avoid this type of community, not only by being amazingly open and friendly, but simply by having a wide variety of classes! The problem with fitness studios that only focus on one thing, is that they end up excluding people who don’t like, or may not immediately excel at that particular type of workout.
For example, if you hate yoga, or are really really bad at it, you’re probably not going to feel like you belong in a yoga studio. By offering a variety of classes catering to various interests and abilities, Jane DO champions inclusivity. The range of classes welcomes women of all ages and fitness levels, to move their bodies in ways that they enjoy! Each class creates an opportunity for everyone to find a style they resonate with, making them feel at home in their fitness journey.
Adaptation: The Pathway to Progress
The human body is incredibly adaptable, and upon repeated exposure to similar stress, it becomes more efficient—in other words, it exerts less effort. While this innate ability is practical for survival, it can be a hurdle in fitness progress. Varied workouts present the body with fresh challenges, avoiding adaptation and thereby circumventing plateaus. Every class at Jane DO pushes you in new ways, ensuring that your body continues to adapt and evolve towards better endurance, strength, and agility.
Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being
Beyond the physical benefits, varying your workouts also enhances mental health. Engaging in different forms of exercise can combat stress, alleviate anxiety, and boost cognitive function. Jane DO's dynamic classes are designed not just to tone muscles but to lift spirits. Through empowering workouts and a supportive community, mood and emotional well-being receive just as much attention as physical fitness.
Healing the Hamstrings—Injury Prevention and Recovery
HIITting the same workouts again and again is like listening to the same song on repeat. Undoubtedly catchy, yet too much repetition can lead to overuse. Repetitive strain injuries are super common when the same movements are repeated over long periods of time. By mixing up the workouts, you reduce the risk of overuse injuries, allowing the body to rest and recover in one area while working another.
A varied fitness program also prepares the body for the myriad of physical challenges life throws our way…helloooo all the different stages a woman’s body goes through over the course of her life! By taking on a range of workouts that challenge us in different ways, we condition our bodies to be more adept at handling everyday tasks. Whether it’s lifting groceries, playing with kids, or embarking on adventurous hikes, the functional fitness achieved through variety ensures we are ready for life's diverse demands.
Just like our bodies change, fitness needs can change with the seasons and with shifts in lifestyle and age too. What worked once may not always be suitable, like during pregnancy. By offering a broad assortment of classes, including ones that are lower in impact but high in intensity, Jane DO ensures that there is always a fitting option available, no matter where life takes you! Additionally, training that combines strength with flexibility, serves as an excellent way to promote recovery, prevent injuries, and help our Janes live longer, healthier lives