It may be time for you to breakup with your workout. You may love your workout and have plenty of fond memories with it, but it could be time to move on. How do you know when your workout has stopped working for you, and what should you do?
You’ve Plateaued
Even the best workout will eventually stop having an impact on your body if you never change it or find new ways to challenge yourself. If you run on the treadmill five days a week at 6.0 mph, stretch, and go home, you are not pushing your body to learn a new skills, utilize new muscles, and push forward. While you’ll be the best 6.0 mph treadmill runner in your tristate area, you’ll struggle to tone any new muscles.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is the best solution to this problem. HIIT provides a very unique and always changing mix of exercises that don’t allow for a long recovery period. You push your body to the brink, catch your breath, and do it all over again. This is a sure-fire way to sculpt your body quickly and efficiently.
Add Cardio to Strength-Training and Strength into Cardio
A truly toned and healthy body needs the right balance of strength training and cardio exercise to look its best. You can start with just your own body weight and perform pushups and pull ups, or you can head straight to the dumbbells and do some tricep and bicep work. Whatever you choose, your body will work more muscles and respond quicker to the work you’re putting in.
Do Something Totally Different
Are you a regular weight lifter? Try a cycling class. Are you only familiar with the treadmill? Head into a kickboxing class. Variety is a great thing for a body that’s no longer responding to its normal workouts. You may even find something new that you really love!