5 EASIEST WAYS TO BREAK THROUGH A FITNESS PLATEAU

If you are new to exercise or you are an experienced veteran you eventually will hit the dreaded “Fitness Plateau” . You’re doing everything right and yet your body stubbornly stays right where you don’t want it to be. You may look pretty good and feel great but that is just not cutting it- you are frustrated and discouraged.

The desire to grow and change is built into our species and we are rarely happy staying in the same old routine. We are designed to always be moving upward, improving and adapting. This is what makes stagnation in your muscle growth and fat loss so frustrating

I have expereinced this with hundreds of clients over the past 20 years and I have found ways to overcome this problem once and for all. CONTINOUSLY CHANGE THE TRAINING VARIABLES! Although this is not a new or revolutionary idea it’s not surprising to see people at the gym doing the same routine year after year and looking the same year after year. Insanity as the old saying goes is doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results.

-Here are my top 5 ways to break through a fitness plateau and to see new levels of muscle growth and enhanced fat free definition.

MOVE QUICKLY AND MINIMIZE BREAKS

Lift lighter weights at a faster speed- The faster you lift the weight the more muscle fiber you must recruit. It also jacks up your metabolism for hours after so you burn more fat all day long. It also has a cardio vascular effect your body and increases the number of capilaries you recruit so you grow and recover faster. Increased blood flow also provides more nutrients and to get into the muscle so you muscles are not as sore the next day.

Try doing sets of 10-25 or 30 reps at a time

ADD MORE SETS AND REPS TO YOUR WORKOUT

The more you stimulate your body the more your hormones work in your favor. Each time you work out you release growth hormone, testosterone and a cascade of chemicals that help to regulate body composition, hunger, fat storage and energy useage.

If you are currently doing 2-3 sets perexercise add 2-3 more . Keep the reps the same but increase the weight if possible.

WORK ON YOUR WEAK AREAS

If you have an orthopedic problem that prevents full range of motion in a muscle group, identify the situation and take the steps to strengthen and rehabilitate. Work with a good orthopedic doctor physical therapist or chiropractor. Don’t allow it to impede your progress or worse lead to a chronic injury that will slow you down even further because of surgery or extensive rehab.

RUN THROUGH YOUR CURRENT ROUTINE BACKWARDS

This will challenge your muscles in a new way because you are always stronger in the beginning of a workout and the muscle groups that are done first get the better stimulation.

HIRE A TRAINER ON A MONTHLY BASIS

A good personal trainer can give you a new program to do each month and keep your body off that plateau. About one third of my clients are “monthly update” guys who get a brand new muscle stimulating , fat burning exercise program from me each month. It’s cheaper than hiring a trainer full time and keeps you accountable to someone who can monitor your progress on a regular basis.