Tired of the same old workout routines and want to mix things up?

Jeff Barton, sophomore in health and human performance and personal trainer for ISU Recreation Services, has plenty of ideas for getting your heart rate going.

“First and foremost, you must educate yourself on proper technique in whatever you do. Incorrect form can delay your goals and possibly cause serious injury,” Barton said.

Barton strongly recommends doing research or talking to a personal trainer as a good way to avoid problems such as injury.

“Exercise is in no way limited to the gym,” Barton said.

Barton suggests playing “Dance Dance Revolution” downstairs at the Memorial Union to increase your heart rate and break a sweat.

“Try tossing your never-once opened psychology book on the floor for some step aerobics,” Barton said.

Barton said to take advantage of using the stairs on campus for a quick workout.

“A big, fancy machine isn’t always the answer,” Barton said. “Take floor work to the next level with Resista-balls and medicine balls.”

Another idea of Barton’s is exercise tubing, which is basically a large rubber band. He said this is a great alternative to dumbbells and will easily fit in any dorm room or apartment.

“The bottom line is, whatever you can do to consistently get your heart rate up and fatigue your muscles, you will see results,” he said.

Suzanne McGaugh, yoga instructor for rec services and graduate student in ecology, evolution and organismal biology, said yoga is a great way to benefit both your body and mind.

“It’s good to stay in stretches for 30 seconds to a minute,” she said.

It is important to educate yourself about yoga if you are unfamiliar with it before you begin practicing. Remember that, as with any new exercise program, it may be best to consult a doctor before beginning.

Benefits and steps from www.yogajournal.com

Vrksasana [Tree Pose]

Benefits: Improves balance and strengthens ankles, spine and calves.

1. In a standing position, move your weight slowly onto the left foot, while keeping the inner foot grounded on the floor; bend your right knee. With your right hand, clasp your right ankle.

2. Bring your right foot up and place the sole against the inner left ankle or against the inner left calf, below the knee. The middle of your pelvis should be straight over the left foot.

3. Hands can be at your sides or pressed together in a hands-in-prayer position. The pelvis should be in a neutral position, with the upper rim parallel to the ground.

4. Extend your tailbone toward of the ground. Press the right foot sole against the inner left calf and resist with the outer left leg. Look at a set spot approximately 4 or 5 feet away on the ground in front of you.

5. Hold the pose for 30 seconds to a minute. Return feet to standing position on the next exhalation. Repeat the pose with your left leg.

Balasana [Child’s Pose]

Benefits: Helps alleviate tension and tiredness while soothing the brain.

*Avoid Child’s Pose if you have a knee injury

1. Kneel down on the ground. Bring your big toes together and sit on your heels, then move your knees apart approximately as wide as your hips are.

2. Broaden your sacrum across the back of your pelvis and narrow your hip points toward the navel, so that they nestle down onto the inner thighs. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of the pelvis while you lift the base of your skull away from the back of your neck.

3. Place your hands on the floor by your torso with the palms up. Relax the fronts of the shoulders in the direction of the floor. The weight of the front shoulders will help open the shoulder blades along the back.

4. Rest in the pose for 30 seconds, for as long as a few minutes.

5. To come out of the pose, lengthen the front torso and, on the next inhalation, lift from the tailbone as it presses down and into the pelvis.

Virasana [Hero Pose]

Benefits: Stretches the knees, ankles and thighs.

*Avoid Hero Pose if you have knee or ankle injury

1. Kneeling on the ground with your thighs resting perpendicular to the ground, touch your inner knees together. Move your feet apart, a little wider than your hips, with the top part of the feet flat on the floor. Position your big toes at an angle a little toward one another. Press the tops of the feet equally on the ground.

2. As you exhale, sit back halfway with the upper chest leaning a little forward. Wedge your thumbs into the backs of your knees and bring the flesh and skin of the calf muscles toward the heels. Now sit down between your feet.

3. If your bum doesn’t rest comfortably on the floor, raise it on a thick book or block, between the feet. Both sitting bones should be equally supported. Make sure there is a space the width of your thumb between your inner heels and the outer hips. Move your thighs inward and with the base of your palms, gently press the heads of the thigh bones into the ground. Hands can be placed on your lap and your thighs with the palms down, up or one on top of the other.

4. Firm the shoulder blades against the back ribs and lift the top of your sternum. Broaden the collarbones and free the shoulder blades away from the ears. Lengthen the tailbone onto the ground to anchor the back upper body.

5. Stay in the pose for 30 seconds to one minute, as you become more comfortable with the pose hold it up to five minutes. To exit the pose, place your hands to the floor and lift your bum up a little above the heels. Cross your ankles beneath your bum. Then sit back over the feet and onto the ground. Now extend your legs in front of you. According to Yoga Journal, bouncing your knees up and down may feel good after the pose.