How to Get a New Workout Routine Every Time Using Just a Deck of Cards

For those of you who exercise consistently, the day-in day-out routine may become stale over the months or even years you have been using it. For those of you who do not consistently work out, maybe it's because you're just too bored with the standard exercises you think you are supposed to do because your friends, coworkers, or the TV tell you to do them. It doesn't matter which group you fall into, all that matters is that you are a person, wishing to get fit, and needing a new workout routine. If you find that you are bored with your current workouts or need inspiration to get started all you need is a deck of cards and a little creativity to get back in the swing of things with a new workout routine.

First, go digging through all of your drawers, cabinets and boxes to find that deck of cards you know you have. If you have spent more than 15 minutes looking and come up empty handed it's time to buy a new one. Lucky for you unlike other exercise equipment or gym memberships, a deck of cards will only cost you $2. Once you have your cards, think about how many different exercises you want to have available during your workout. This can be as simple as red being push ups and black being sit ups all the way to having suits, face cards and jokers be different exercises. Don't worry about labeling the cards because you can change them and have a new workout routine. I like to make sure that I get a full body workout set up with the cards so I currently have mine labeled like this.

Spades are up downs 2-10.

Spade face cards are jumping jacks 20 a piece.

Hearts are push ups 2-10.

Heart face cards are crunches 20 a piece.

Clubs are dumbbell snatches 2-10.

Club face cards are dumbbell presses 10 a piece.

Diamonds are body squats 2-10.

Diamond face cards are lunges 10 a piece.

Aces are grip work. 1 set of any type.

The idea behind the deck of cards is that you decide what exercises will be involved and then the number you pick will tell you how many repetitions to do. Once you have decided what exercises are for which cards you simple draw 10-15 cards and flip them over one at a time to do what's on the card. For example if you were doing my above workout and flipped over a 6 of clubs you would do 6 dumbbell snatches and then flip over another card. Every time you draw cards you will get a new workout routine. My set up has many different exercises and requires dumbbells but you can keep or cut whatever you like. If you are at home and just want something to do while watching TV you could set yours up like the example below.

Spades are push ups 2-10 and face cards are 10.

Hearts are sit ups 2-10 and face cards are 10.

Clubs are body squats 2-10 and face cards are 10.

Diamonds are lunges 2-10 and face cards are 10.

This is simple, easy to remember and requires no equipment other than a deck of cards. The beauty of this workout is it's flexibility. You can make it as simple or complex as you want. You can use lots of equipment or no equipment at all. You can take it to the gym or do it in your own living room. You can change the exercises any day and have a totally new workout routine. The possibilities are endless.