How satisfied are you with your current results? Are you stuck in that place of wishing you could lose those last 10 pounds? Or wanting to get physically stronger? I realize that there’s something very comforting about having a regular routine, and that a regular routine may have helped you reach particular fitness goals at one time. Nevertheless, as your body has adjusted and gotten used to that routine suddenly you’ve found yourself at a plateau because the same thing over and over again isn’t burning the same amount of calories anymore.
Varying your exercise routine can help you stay physically challenged. Many of the body’s physiological systems (e.g., the muscular systems) adapt to an exercise program within approximately six to eight weeks. Failure to modify your exercise routine will cause you to reach a plateau, as your body will have adapted to the repetitive training stimulus.
In addition to examining your diet and calorie intake, there are ways to break out of that rut and take your fitness to the next level. Try switching to a different aerobic exercise, or increase your frequency, duration, or intensity. If you’re weight training, try different exercises and be sure to increase the weights if the exercises are too easy. These are things you can do on your own, but are you utilizing everything your health club has to offer?
Doing something new will keep your workouts fun and interesting, giving you something to look forward to. That is exactly what will keep your muscles challenged, your body guessing, and the results coming! There’s no shortage of different types of exercises to try, use everything your club has to offer. Have you tried swimming, tennis, racquetball, personal training, small group training? What about a different group exercise class than usual?
Have you hit that 6-8 week mark with your current exercise plan? Maybe it’s time you got a new personalized plan from one of our certified personal trainers. They can reinvigorate your routine, and help you reach those goals of yours!
Get your own personalized plan!
Written by Amy Hall, CPT; Elite Sports Clubs – North Shore Group Exercise Director, Racquetball Director, and Personal Trainer
Amy is a AAFA Certified Personal Trainer, and is also an American Red Cross Certified CPR and First Aid Instructor, and Les Mills Certified Instructor. She specializes in sculpting, core strengthening, weight loss and diet coaching. Amy enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with her children. She believes that being healthy and fit is a lifestyle, a conscientious decision to take care of yourself and be the best you can be everyday.
Amy began teaching group fitness in 1991, and has been part of the Elite team since 2005. She understands that every individual has unique fitness goals and believes that every day holds a new opportunity to become stronger inside and out. Amy applies a constant variety of training techniques to create both muscular and mental challenge to give you continuous results and improvement. She has demonstrated tremendous energy, motivation and perseverance while obtaining her professional training, which has improved the overall health of her clients and Elite’s members.