If you’ve recently started exercising for the first time in your life, or the first time in a long time, then you probably have some specific workout goals. Having goals to aspire to is great in every aspect of your life, including the gym, but you must know how to get there and what can potentially get in the way. A workout plateau is probably the biggest problem you’ll face as you work toward your goals. Keep reading to learn three ways to avoid hitting a workout plateau.
What Is a Workout Plateau?
Before we explain how to avoid a workout plateau, you need to know what it is. A workout plateau is when you steadily work out in the same way and then stop seeing results. Your body grows accustomed to the specific workout you’re doing and has no more results to offer. Your body is stuck, so you’ll stay where you are until you eventually decline. Luckily, there are some ways to avoid that.
Change Your Workout Plan
Consistently changing up your workout plan has many benefits, including keeping you out of a workout plateau. While you can continue to work toward the same goals, such as strength training and endurance, you can use different types of workouts to get there so that you don’t develop a workout plateau. Consult with a professional trainer and try different workouts to figure out which are your favorites so that you can consistently make changes to reach your goals.
Try Something New
As we mentioned above, changing your workout plan is important to avoid a plateau. One way to keep making changes, even after you’ve found a variety of workouts that you like, is to try new things. While breaking out of your workout comfort zone may feel intimidating, it’s a great way to keep challenging yourself out of the plateau. To avoid overwhelming yourself, sign up for a class where you can learn a new routine or technique with other beginners. If you don’t enjoy it after the first few classes, you can stop and try something else, but you’ve challenged your body regardless, which is the point.
Take Some Time Off
One reason you may have hit a workout plateau isn’t that you’re not varying your exercise but because you’re exercising too much. If you don’t give your body the rest it needs between workout sessions, your muscles can’t respond as they should. This will make you plateau. Give yourself necessary breaks and get plenty of sleep to achieve and surpass your goals.
Changing your workout plan, trying new things, and taking time to rest are three ways to avoid hitting a workout plateau. Your body needs variety and rest as you work toward achieving your fitness goals, and if you give your body what it needs, you’ll surpass those goals.
