7 Signs You Need To Change Up Your Workout Routine
When you first started your new workout regime, you found yourself enlivened at the prospect of a fitter, healthier you. You didn’t roll, you jumped out of bed, because you were feeling great and seeing results.
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Eventually, however, the routine gave way to mind-numbing repetitiveness and now, you dread each excursion to the gym instead of looking forward to the trip like you used to.
We all know that variety is the spice of life, and these eight red flags are telling you it’s time to shake up your routine.
1. You’re Bored
Doing the same routine over and over again for months on end is bound to induce boredom. If you find yourself watching the clock, trudging along on the treadmill, just waiting for the time to pass, it may be time to change things up. Make sure your workout program has lots of variety, including interval training and bodyweight exercises. Even taking your workout outside or trying a new class can reinvigorate your passion for fitness. You may also want to consider giving your gym music playlist a refresher for added motivation.
2. You’re No Longer Seeing Results
When you first start a new workout routine, results tend to happen fast. Over time, however, your body adapts to the workouts and you hit the dreaded plateau. Busting out of it doesn’t necessarily mean a complete overhaul of your routine, however; you may just need to add weight, increase your pace, or add more sets to accelerate your progress.
3. You’re Never Sore Anymore
There’s a sense of satisfaction in waking up feeling slightly sore. If your muscles are aching a bit (not excruciatingly, of course) it means you worked hard and you’re getting stronger. On the other hand, if you find that your never sore anymore, it might be time to ramp up the intensity.
4. You’re Suffering From Injuries
On the flip side, doing the same routine every day can wreak havoc on your body if you’re not careful. Chronic muscle strains, tears, joint pain and other injuries can result from repetitively doing the same moves without any variation, overworking your muscles without giving them a chance to heal. The solution here, of course, is to add more variety into your routine to work different muscles on different days, or to incorporate different variations of the moves so that you aren’t relying on the same joints and muscles all the time.
5. Your Goals Have Changed
When you started, you wanted to lose fat and trim your waistline. Fast forward several months later, and you have a newfound desire to put on muscle and broaden those shoulders — yet you’ve kept your routine the same. Whatever it may be, a switch in goals requires a change in routine to keep you focused and see the results you want.
6. You Can’t Find The Time
You used to set your alarm early to get to the gym on your scheduled days — rain or shine. But now, it seems like there just isn’t enough time in the day to squeeze in your workouts. The problem here of course isn’t with a lack of time, but with a lack of motivation. There’s always a way to get in a workout, whether it’s a weightlifting routine at the gym or a 30-minute HIIT bodyweight workout you can do at home. The key to finding time is finding the drive to simply get it done.