"Breakthrough" Your Fitness Routine

As a personal trainer, I have so many people tell me that they stick to their exercise routine religiously, but have stopped seeing results. They are frustrated because they get their workout in everyday and think they are doing everything right, but that number on the scale won’t budge. If this sounds familiar you may have hit the dreaded PLATEAU.

This is a common problem and can occur at several stages throughout your fitness career. When your body plateaus it basically hits a roadblock where it is no longer being challenged. Your muscles are doing the same thing, over and over and over again. They don’t have to work hard anymore because they have gotten use to the same workout. They are just going through the motions. Now, let’s say that you do vary your workouts, but you still aren’t seeing results. Well then it’s probably time to kick up the intensity.

They say “variety is the spice of life,” this is so true when it comes to exercise and seeing results. SPICE IT UP! Challenge your body. Don’t let it get use to the same routine. Kick it up to the next level!

Some ideas…

• Try a new machine. If you are chained to the elliptical, try something new like running, biking or the stairs for a couple weeks.
• Introduce intervals. Interval training can really challenge you body. Intervals work by combining high-energy bursts with less intense periods of recovery. For example, sprint for 30 seconds then switch to a jog for a minute or two. Keep doing this for several rounds.
• Crank up the resistance. Whether this means going up to the next level on a machine or increasing the weight you use when strength-training. Yes, it will be harder, but that’s the point.
• Take inventory. Are you working your whole body? Or, are you just focusing on one part of your body? It’s important to work all muscle groups, not just the ones you want to change. This will also help prevent injury.

These are just a few ideas, but they can get you off on the right foot. Along with switching up your routine, it’s important to remember to examine your diet and make sure you are allowing yourself at least one rest day a week. If you are eating well, taking time to rest and switching up your fitness routine, you should begin to see results and break through that stubborn plateau!