Running is a great workout, calorie burner and cardio booster.  It’s especially great for travelers and explorers. However, there are also many drawbacks. These could be joint pains, breathing problems and boredom.  However, most of the issues could be avoided or corrected.

Here are eight ways to make running more interesting:

Variety:

Avoid long stretches of straight roads, make sure you have bends, curves and different sceneries. This will make sure your brain stays busy as well and it doesn’t get too boring. If you run on a treadmill or the weather is bad, try to watch something on the gym’s tv, your phone or tablet.  Not sure where to go?  Use our Member Map to find a great running route.

Music!

Make a great playlist of your favorite workout music and change it up every once in a while.

Further or Faster.

Don’t get into a habit of always running the same distance and the same speed. Switch it up, it’ll give you much more variety and more challenges. This way you can create more small goals for yourself which will lead up to successfully reaching your larger fitness goals.

Run with a friend.

That is, assuming you are at the same level and have the same goals. Chat about your life, your goals and motivate each other. Just make sure you don’t forget about your workout as well.

Register for a race.

If you need a little more pressure, register for a race. It doesn’t have to be a marathon but there are plenty of 3-10k’s out there you can join and get excited about.

Compete a little bit.

If there are other runners around or a person on the treadmill next to you, you can do a little bit of competition (even if they don’t know it). Just make sure you don’t overtrain or get hurt yourself. Know your body, level and limits.

Interval Training.

It is a great way to get a lot of workout in a small amount of time. It also keeps your mind busy and you’ll definitely feel the workout and results afterwards. However, don’t make all your running about intervals, it’ll only get you so far. Endurance levels will not necessarily skyrocket from this training only.

Count your steps.

Keep yourself busy counting your steps per minute or half mile. It might make time fly or it might drive you crazy! Try it out.