This is the year to finally introduce some change to your workouts. Maybe you said you’d do it last year. Maybe the year before. In either case, this is the year for getting down and dirty to improve upon yourself, and have the most fun year of your life, fitness-wise. This will especially come in handy to those who can’t seem to make workout progress no matter what they do. It’s either boring, or difficult, or both! Here we offer eight simple tips on what your fitness bucket list can contain to change your mind about fitness, and show you how fun it actually can be.

1.    Do an adventure race

Adventure races are those races that test all of your physical capabilities in a natural setting. Depending on the route you choose, they span from three hours up to a week, and most are created for teams rather than solo. This could be a great opportunity for you to see how prepared you are to actually take on obstacles outside of fitness surroundings.

2.    Turn your workout into a game

App stores are now absolutely stocked full of various fitness apps. We skip through most, expecting the same old spiel, but there are some that are actually worth your time. From a zombie survival running app, through a space exploration pedometer, to a plant growing hydrating reminder, there is everything for everyone. Make it your goal this year to incorporate some fun into your fitness routines.

3.    Get a friend active

What’s better than being physically active? Having a “partner in crime” for it! It’s scientifically proven that the presence of another person not only makes the workout easier, but helps us push ourselves in an attempt to keep up. If you can, find a friend and start an easy, fun routine with them. Or, get one of your gym buddies and do something together.

4.    Do a 30-day challenge

One way to see how far you’ve come is to do a thirty-day challenge. They usually feature day-by-day schedules on how many reps of a certain workout you need, mileages you need to run, or poses to try out (if we’re talking yoga). Choose one thirty-day challenge every three months to test yourself, or do one from a completely different workout group, to see where you stand. These are great for putting things in perspective when it comes to your body.

5.    Pay more attention to labels

Aside from trying something new in your workout routines, put focusing on your nutrition on that bucket list. Since it could be a whole new list of its own, we’re highlighting only one here, and it’s to absolutely check your food labels. Whenever you visit the store, if you can’t afford all organic, look at every packaging’s number of ingredients and content.

6.    Bike somewhere new

If you’re a serious cyclist, then you’ve probably been on a few cycling trips. But if you weren’t definitely consider splurging some money on a daring new location outside your hometown. Plenty of agencies offer exciting cycling routes, so why waste time? You can thoroughly and easily compare bikes online to upgrade your bike for a more demanding trip, so a lack of equipment is hardly a problem. All you need is will and a sense of adventure!

7.    Sign up for a new sport

To keep your brain as active as your body, sign up for a sport that demands a different skillset to what you already have. This will do wonders for your mental development, and you’ll get to employ your body in a different way. Take up dancing for upper-lower body coordination, or mountain climbing for problem-solving.

8.    There’s even more!

• You can create a joint bucket list with some friends and compare goals each wants to achieve. Then you can start doing them together.
• If you’re in group training, ask your trainer to replace them one session during warm-up (it’s really fun, and gets to practice your leadership skills)
• Master pull ups and push-ups – these come incredibly handy in real life, as they improve your arm and core strength
• Upgrade/Refresh your wardrobe, because new workout gear gets us more excited for new challenges ahead. From a new model of running shoes, to simply more colorful hair accessories for hair that can’t stay put, treat yourself.

Lastly

Don’t forget to make the thing on your bucket list count. It doesn’t have to be an enormous change to your fitness routine. Even a slight deviation from the same old running track can do wonders. With 2018 well underway, you should already start implementing some new things into your physical activity, otherwise you’re bound to give up, or get sick and tired way too early and stunt your progress. But for those more adventurous – be bold, brash, test your limits. After all, they’re there to be broken.