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4 items that have reinvented my workouts

In the past 18 months I've completely changed the way I exercise. Until the first part of 2009 my workout routine was quite standard: treadmills and weights broken down into 3 days with a rest at the end, repeating ad nauseum.

#1 GymBoss Interval Timer. This goes hand in hand with a whole different way of exercising. Using the GymBoss Interval Timer I've migrated away from the traditional warmup, workout, cooldown methodology towards exercise-routines more in line with High Intensity Interval Training. Even when I do perform a traditional exercise routine not designed around intervals, using this timer ensures I don't over-rest.

#2 While living in Barcelona, a personal trainer got me into jumping rope. In the coming months I progressed to using the jump rope on a regular basis. I now use -- and swear by -- this Jump Rope made by Buddle Lee. The key to this jump rope is in the handle. The rope -- plastic tubing -- attaches via a swivel, which allows the rope to spin much faster than a traditional jump rope. The best part about jumping rope is you can have more fun with it than you can running or rowing. Listen to some good music and try to get your footwork to match the beat.

#3 Next on my list of must-have exercise equipment is the TRX Suspension Trainer. One of the distinct changes in my exercise has been a transition from weights and machines to more fundamental methods of exercise: calisthenics, or exercises using one's own body weight. The most common of these being push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, crunches etc. Using the suspension trainer, you can increase the difficulty of these exercises to utilize more of the core and build balance along with strength. Tie this together with the GymBoss Interval Timer and you will have one of the most difficult and result-bearing exercise routines.

Beyond just making push-ups more difficult by balancing your legs in the suspension straps, you can do completely new exercises or do exercises you may not otherwise be able to do, like a one legged squat. Learn more here at Fitness Anywhere.

#4 The last on the list is the rings. These are like your traditional gymnastic rings, but designed so you can bring them anywhere. Some of the best exercise to do with the rings include dips, horizontal rows and pushups. The key with using the rings as opposed to a static apparatus lies in the way you engage supporting muscle groups. Being that the rings are dynamic and not static, you have to utilize your core muscles to help hold you steady. Even a simple vertical hold on the rings requires a lot of strength. Beyond that, they employ you to increase the range of motion for traditional exercises like push-ups and rows.

There you have it. How to evolve your workouts, have more fun, increase overall resting metabolic heartrate RMR) and spend less time in the gym.