Change Up your Workouts For Better Results
People often only think of changing their workout routine up when they’re becoming bored or getting tired of doing the same things every time but changing up your workout routine every once in a while, can actually provide you with better results. The key to achieving positive results with your workout is to stick to a routine, but not for very long.
You have to confuse your muscles by changing things up every now and again to help them grow. In this article, we’re going to cover why you should change up your workouts, how it can help you achieve better results, and some signs that it’s time to change up your routine for which you can watch out.
Here is why you should bother to change up your workouts for better results
We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” but that doesn’t apply to your fitness regime.
Trainers like Josey Greenwell of New York City’s Barry’s Bootcamp recommend changing up your routine every so often if you want to see results. “Initially you need consistency to see where you stand and to track your progress, but ultimately your muscles need confusion in order to continue to grow,” Greenwell said.
Here’s how it works: when you’ve done a specific move or a specific workout routine for a long time, your muscles and body become accustomed to doing it. As your body adapts to your workout routine, it starts to see it as the new normal, causing you to stop seeing results.
However, if you listen to the advice of most experts and change your workout routine every six to eight weeks or so, you can avoid the stagnation in your weight loss. It’s important to note that that timeframe is in no way a hard and fast rule. Your body will start sending you signs that it’s time to switch things up.
How to Tell It’s Time to Mix Things Up
As we said above, your body has a way of telling you it’s time to come up with a new exercise routine in order to achieve results. While some of these signs can be indicative of other things, they aren’t always and could be a key tell that it’s time for you to change up your routine.
The Workout Seems Easy
The more you do the exercises in your routine, the more your body will become accustomed to them and the less challenging they will be. While this is a good sign, indicating you’re getting stronger, it’s also a sign it’s time to change it up. According to Greenwell, “the last three reps should be the hardest […] to complete.” If they aren’t, it’s time to either increase the weight or change up the routine.
You’ve Noticed a Decrease in Appetite
When you finish a good workout, you’re usually hungry; it’s your body’s way of refueling and restoring the energy you spent being active. If your workout wasn’t challenging enough for your muscles, you won’t be as hungry to restore the energy and repair muscle fibers.
You’re Not Sore After Your Workout
A good workout should challenge your muscles, causing you to feel the burn and feel sore afterward. If you aren’t sore after a workout, you didn’t challenge your muscles. It’s time to change up your routine in order to keep from plateauing due to your muscles adapting.
It’s important to the success of your fitness regimes to make sure you change up your routine every so often. Sticking to the same exercise routine for too long can cause your muscles to adapt to the movements and challenges, causing results to stagnate.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above after your workout, it’s time to go to the internet, ask a friend, or see a trainer to develop a new routine that will challenge your muscles once again and get you seeing results.