If taking one step back for every two steps forward sounds like a recipe for failure, think again. Running on sand makes your body work harder compared to working out on a hard, flat surface. And if your workouts have been a bit stale lately, running on sand may be just what you need to spice up your routine.

Compare running up a paved hill with running up a sand dune. Why is it so much more difficult to run on sand? Because sand is an unstable surface, every time you take a step and then push off, your foot slips back about half way. Sure, that doesn’t sound like a very efficient workout, but efficiency may be why you’ve reached a plateau in your fitness and weight-loss goals.

Take your next workout to the beach, or if you don’t have a beach, find a sandy spot at a local park, lake or along a river. When you’re working out 50% harder, you’ll make 50% more improvements too.