Whether you’re looking to lose weight or build muscle, experts agree that you should switch up your fitness routine every 4 to 6 weeks. Variety is key to beating the plateau and making sure you’re getting the most out of your workouts. The changes don’t have to be drastic – simple adjustments such as doing your exercises for a specific duration rather than a number of reps can improve strength by allowing your muscles to work in new ways. You can also change the type of cardio or resistance that you do. Here are just a few of many benefits that result from switching up your process:
Get better results by doing a varied routine. Doing a combination of workouts, such as cardio mixed with strength training or yoga and pilates will help reduce fat mass and increase lean body mass, compared to only doing one type of workout routine.
Prevent injuries by cross training. When you repeat the same movements regularly, it puts strain on your muscles and joints, and increases the risk of injuries such as general stress, inflammation, and tendonitis. For example, if your main source of exercise is running, you may find it difficult to move your body in different directions. This can manifest in common place injuries such as hurting yourself when carrying or lifting heavy items.
Eliminate boredom and increase productivity by avoiding predictability. After awhile, our body (and mind) becomes accustomed to a routine and we not only lose interest, we lose the ability to make further progress. By challenging yourself and pushing harder, you will stimulate your mind and move towards advancing your fitness level. Avoid phoning in a workout or skipping it altogether by trying out different types of exercises, or changing the way you do them.
With GymRa, you’ll find it incredibly easy to follow these tips and keep things fresh. Around 300 training templates that range from cardio to strength training and yoga, and over 50 comprehensive programs that include dance, pilates, and HIIT will eliminate the thinking and worrying, and allow you to just exercise. Browse, choose, and start becoming stronger, fitter, and healthier!
