It’s easy to get into a rut or hit a plateau when you do the same exercise routine repeatedly. According to Women’s Health every time you complete the same routine your body becomes more adept at handling the stress. This ultimately means you’ll start burning fewer calories. There are several things you can do to change your workout and ultimately improve results.
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Incorporate Interval Training
Interval training consists of alternating intense bursts of activity with periods of lighter activity. An example would be sprinting for 30 seconds, running for 2 minutes, and alternating back and forth for the entire time you’re working out. No matter what kind of routine you’re currently doing, it’s possible to incorporate times of high and low intensity. Shape states that interval training will enable you to burn more calories during your routine as well as boost your metabolism for up to 48 hours afterwards.
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Mix It Up
Doing the same exercises can still work if you mix things up a bit. If you jog and then swim laps in the pool, try swimming first and add a new swim stroke. Even changing how many reps you do when lifting can make a difference. A Wellness report from U.S. News states that you should switch your routine around every 6 to 12 weeks for the best results.
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Try Something Completely New
If you usually jog switch to swimming laps in the pool. If high-impact aerobics is your thing, try taking a spin class instead. To stay motivated you may want to team up with a partner. Finding someone to jog with, play a round of tennis with, or simply make sure you both get to the same aerobics class can help you stick with something new.
While changing your workout will help you stay motivated and burn more calories, it can also result in new aches and pains. Incorporating physical therapy from Fit 4 Life can do wonders for helping you ease into a new routine. Physical therapy can help everything from building muscle strength to avoiding surgery when injuries occur.
Sources
- http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/changing-up-workouts-for-weight-loss
- http://www.shape.com/fitness/cardio/10-ways-burn-more-calories-treadmill
- http://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-04-15/how-long-does-it-really-take-to-see-fitness-results
