Let's face it. We have all been there. We have all showed up at the gym on Monday dreading the workout we were about to begin. It's not that we were lazy, weak, or slacking. Instead, it was because we were bored! We were bored with the same weekly workout routine. We were bored with doing the same exercises, using the same weights, using the same machines, and seeing the same faces. To state it simply, we were suffering from Boring Workout Burnout.

Since I began serious weight training as a high school wrestler in the 1980s, I have been exposed to numerous workout routines -- some stimulating, some horribly boring, and some in between. However, the one commonality between all of the workout routines is that my gains and progress were directly related to my like (or dislike) of the routine. In wrestling, for example, if a practice session included instruction, structured live wrestling, and a moderate amount of cardiovascular conditioning exercises (jumping rope, carrying sandbags, etc.), I practiced harder and ultimately learned more, since the practice routine was stimulating and diverse. Conversely, if the practice consisted mainly of cardiovascular conditioning exercises, lecture, and minimal live wrestling, I became bored with practice and ultimately learned little.

The same principles hold true in my workout routines today. If I feel bored with a routine, I feel like I am just going through the motions and just trying to reach the end of my workout. That's no way to train! While a half-hearted workout is better than no workout, I will never be satisfied with a sub-par effort. Instead, I make it a point to beat boring workout burnout by changing-up my routine when boredom sets in.

Altering your workout routine does not have to be drastic. In fact, small changes can go a long way. For example, if your schedule allows, just change the time you workout. If you normally workout for 2 hours at 7:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, try working out at 7:00 AM instead. Or, if that is too drastic, change your workout to 90 minutes at 8:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. You are really altering none of your actual workout. Instead, you are just stimulating yourself with a change of scenery.

Another way to beat boring workout burnout is by changing the actual exercises of your routine. If you are a weight trainer who trains legs every Monday with squats, machine leg presses, leg extensions, and seated leg curls, for example, add some other lifts to your repertoire. One week do free weight squats, deadlifts, inverted leg presses, lying leg curls, and seated calf raises; the next week do machine front squats, barbell lunges, angled leg presses, seated leg curls, and standing calf raises. Alternate exercises by week, so that you keep your routine fresh. For a quick fix, simply alternate free weights and machines each week. While hardcore lifters have always turned their noses up at most machines, a lot of the newer machines actually work well. I say use them, especially if using them keeps you interested.

Along the same lines, challenge yourself by adding weight to your lifts at least once a month. Set meaningful goals, and give yourself something to look forward to every month. Thinking back to my weight training when I was 15, I wanted nothing more than to bench 200 pounds. I set a goal and achieved it. I then thought four 45-pound plates on the bar (225 pounds) looked much cooler than 200, so I set the 225-pound goal and changed my routine so that I could achieve it. I then moved to 250, 300, and so on. This constant goal setting made me want to come to the gym as much as possible.

You can also beat boredom by changing your weekly routine (not just your daily routine). If you find you always dread Mondays (which just happens to be your leg training day), move your leg day to Tuesday! Better yet, reschedule your entire week! Set a training schedule, and go with it for four weeks. After four weeks, change it up again! Adding a regular sense of change to your routine can definitely keep things fresh.

The above examples apply to weight training. However, the same principles apply to all workout routines. If your daily routine consists of running on a treadmill, breathe some life into your routine by going to an outdoor track every other day. Better yet, buy a bike and take a bike ride several days a week! If your routine consists of structured step aerobics, attend class at a different time or location. Add another step. Put on ankle weights. Set a goal to 'step' for an extra five minutes. The list is endless! Following some of these principles will enable you to beat boring workout burnout, and will make your workout routine anything but routine.