WHEN TO CHANGE YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE

Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” While I’m not questioning your sanity, I am suggesting that perhaps mixing up your exercise routines and trying something new on occasion can broaden your horizons, improve your results, and avert boredom.

Let me first begin by saying; don’t jump from exercise routine to exercise routine to “keep your body guessing” or to create “muscle confusion”. These concepts are a myth. The truth is, nearly every half decent workout routine will be somewhat effective as long as you provide the time and consistency needed for it to work. If you keep changing things, that just can’t happen.

Does that mean you shouldn’t ever change your workout routine? Absolutely not. Just don’t change only for the sake of changing. First ask yourself; what are the reasons for making changes?

Reasons for Change

After careful consideration, I present you with four solid reasons to change your exercise routine.

• Your program is no longer producing results . Assuming you’ve provided enough time for the program to produce results in the first place, this may seem obvious. Nevertheless, it is a very good reason for change. Again, I’m not questioning your sanity, but consider Albert’s definition. If you want different results, you’ll have to do something different.
• You’ve adjusted your goals . You previously wanted to be able to pick up heavy things, but now, like Forrest Gump, you want to run for days. Time to change your exercise program.
• You’re bored out of your mind. In order to stay motivated and consistent (both vital for getting results), you should enjoy what you’re doing. If you find yourself counting ceiling tiles rather than exercising, it is time to change your exercise routine.
• Unforeseen circumstances make change necessary. Heaven forbid, you find yourself with a medical issue that requires an adjusted exercise program. On a more positive note, you’ve been promoted, but now you can only dedicate 30 minutes a day to exercise instead of ninety. A modification to your old exercise routine is needed.

Simply put, sometimes change is just what is needed.