When it comes to fitness, the old adage “variety is the spice of life” couldn’t be more true. While it’s important to establish a consistent routine, sticking to the same workout regimen day after day can lead to plateaus and a lack of progress. But fear not! There are plenty of ways to shake things up and keep your body ‘guessing’ and the best thing, you don’t even have to think about it.
First things first, let’s talk about plateaus. If you’ve been working out for a while and feel like you’ve hit a wall, don’t despair! Plateaus are a common occurrence in fitness and are simply your body’s way of adapting to your current routine. The key to breaking through a plateau is to mix things up and challenge your body in new ways.
One way to beat a plateau is to incorporate new exercises into your routine. For example, if you’ve been doing the same cardio workout for months, try swapping it out or combining it with some resistance or strength training. If you’re a fan of strength training, try adding new exercises to your routine or increasing the weight you’re lifting.
Another way to keep things fresh is to change the format of your workouts. If you typically do three sets of 10 reps for each exercise, try doing four sets of eight reps instead. Or, if you usually do a full-body workout, try having a specific focus for each day and not try and do it all.
In addition to mixing up your workouts, it’s also important to listen to your body and make sure you’re giving it the rest and recovery it needs. Overreaching is a good thing and provides change, but non-stop overreaching without recovery can lead to burnout and injuries, so don’t be afraid to take a day off if you’re feeling fatigued or sore.
Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your progress! Whether it’s lifting a heavier weight, getting your first pull up, doing skipping for the first time since you were at school, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments. Not only will it help keep you motivated, but it will also remind you of how far you’ve come.
Variety truly is the spice of fitness. By mixing up your workouts, challenging your body in new ways, and celebrating your progress, you’ll be able to beat plateaus and maximise your gains. So go ahead, try that new exercise class or switch up your routine – your body (and mind) will thank you!
If you’re not sure where to start or want to take the guess work out of it, book a No-Sweat intro with us and find out how we can help you reach your goals.