How can variety be the spice of life?

I see it all the time, people joining health clubs, and after several months drop out due to boredom, and lack of progress that they desire.
 
In this article, I address the reason for seeking out a fitness routine that has inherit variety built into it in order for you to remain dedicated and loyal to your fitness goals. Cardio Kickboxing is very much that variety that many people are looking for!

Why is Muay Thai/Cardio Kickboxing such a great workout?

​Because Muay Thai, ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’, means that we are training with our hands, elbows, knees, and feet. When training with all eight limbs, we are creating movement with our entire body, making it the best, well-rounded, and most enjoyable cardio workout around. Because these movements have been used for many years, the movements involved have been effectively practiced and perfected for our benefit.

Why is it so important to have variety?

​Muscles in your body are complex, supporting our weight and balance from multiple angles. A singular motion will never be able to work an entire muscle structure. Incorporating variety in workouts make it easier to train your muscles from different angles than just a singular motion. This is why it is necessary to train using different motions, weights, and angles. It also builds symmetry and fixes muscular imbalances to help prevent injuries. A varied workout can also speed up recovery. Doing the same exercises over and over again puts stress on your muscles, and can cause mental boredom.

Why does it mean, to work out a single muscle in different ways?

​Arm muscles are a perfect example. You have a bi-cep and tri-cep, BOTH, very much needed for great arm control. If you exercise one and not the other, you will have an imbalance. When muscular imbalances occur, an unintended muscle group ends up working harder than it needs in order to compensate for weaker muscles.

​This imbalance can be a reason people have back issues. Weaker stomach muscles forces a person’s back to work in ways it was not intended. Causing stress and malfunction of muscle groups which usually manifesting in pain. In the diagram below, you can see how many muscle groups are needed in order to minimize or eliminate back pain.

Mental variation sounds confusing

​Mental NOT just physical variety is greatly needed. People can find themselves in workout routines that are more harmful than helpful. Any repetitive motion creates what people call ‘repetitive stress syndrome’ (RSI). This occurs when doing something over and over again, mentally or physically. Physically can be more apparent when it manifests itself in pain; carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, and fasciitis. Mental RSI manifests in our lack of interest in something, a lack of positive attitude, and even depression.
 
While daily routines are beneficial in order to provide structure. Workout routines, that change up with every workout, that are unpredictable, keep us mentally sharp, and adds that change in our lives that give us the variety we need.  After all, more than 70% of our lives can be unpredictable, training ourselves to think and move according to an ever changing workout, train our mind and attitude to accept and move to change!  Training ourselves to punching and kicking routines that can be organized in a hundred different patterns can keep us sharp, and is healthy for us, both mental and physical.

Can structure and variety work together?

Absolutely! Even fitness requires structure called technique. Structure can help us with doing things in a correct manner. Using proper technique keeps our bodies moving in the directions it was meant to bend and turn in. Know that there are more than 30 different types of squats that will benefit you physically. For each variation of a squat that helps us grow, there are also the improper techniques that will hurt us.

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Don’t let our current circumstance control your success, your mental or physical well-being!
 
Mr. Schilz
 
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