Shaking up your routine

[Guest guest]

OK, what is everybody doing these days to shake up your routine?

Last week I got a new exercise doohicky that I mail-ordered: resistance

bands. They look like the rubber bands that tie up bunches of broccoli,

but bigger. I saw it being demonstrated on one of The Fit Show videos on

the web, and it looked interesting. You put it around your ankles, go

into a slight squat, and side-step. Good for the upper thighs and glutes.

I also ventured into " the other side " of the gym yesterday. Instead of

my usual lat pull-down on the Nautilus machine, I did a cable lat

pull-down. Definitely works the muscles in a different way.

After reading a bunch of Alwyn Cosgrove articles the past few days, I

decided I need to be more conscientious about shaking up the number of

reps and the amount of weight I use on the machines. So, on some of

them, I went down on weight and did more reps as slowly as possible. On

others, I went down on weights and went as quickly as possible. On

others, I went up on weight and only did a few reps.

I also attempted to learn how to use the Nordic Track machine, but that

thing was too darn complicated for me. I usually use a combo of

elliptical and rower when I'm at the gym, but next time I go I'm going

to force myself to use the Stairmaster even though it bores the heck out

of me.

I haven't given up my quest to knock out a dozen pull-ups, but progress

is slow. I can't seem to get through more than three in a set, although

I am able to do multiple sets. I'm hoping that shaking up my routine

will get more muscle growth going in my back and shoulders.

Naomi

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