Changing Your Workout Routine

A question that I'm often asked is "How often should I change my workout routine?" In general, it is important to change your workout periodically to prevent getting stuck on a plateau. If you do not, then your body and muscles will become used to the exercises that you are doing. Your body adapts to the stresses that you place on it, so it makes sense that you need to change those stresses over time to continue making progress. Typically, you should make changes to your workout at least every 4 to 6 weeks, or even as frequently as every week. The types of changes you can make include:

• Changing the exercises
• Changing the weight/training intensity
• Changing the number of repetitions or sets
• Changing the repetition tempo
• Changing your training frequency
• Changing the muscle groups that you train together
• Utilising supersets, pyramid sets, circuit training and vertical/horizontal loading