How often should you change your workout program?

One thing all trainers agree on is that you need to change your workout routines every so often. How often may differ, the general consensus is every 4-8 weeks. And this is not written in stone. Remember our bodies are smart and they adapt to the same stimuli over time, so we need to fool them. I have not found a lot of research suggesting you should change your routine every four weeks or eight weeks, but I can tell you that there are a couple sure signs that it is time to change your routine:

1. Are you getting too bored? Are you able to read People Magazine while you’re training? Hmm, several issues here. Obviously intensity needs to be increased, but try just increasing the weight on some exercises, or go to a higher level on the treadmill.

2. Are you not seeing results? If you are doing the same routine and the scale is not changing or your clothes are not feeling better or you just do not feel you are getting stronger, it is time for a change. (Also remember, you can't out-train a POOR DIET).

If you are a beginner, I would recommend that you do not change your routine until you know the exercises and can do them properly. Once you do stick to your program for four to eight weeks, and then change it up. If you are intermediate or advanced then I would vary it up more often, maybe every three to four weeks.

Other suggestions going forward:
· Change the order of some of your exercises.
· Change the rep scheme.
· Increase the weight on exercises.
· Change the number of times you workout each week – (in some cases LESS)
· Cross Train (boot camp, yoga, Pilates)

How often should you change your workout? Like I said, there are no firm guidelines, but listen to your body, change your workout every month and see how that works for you; you could keep doing the same exercises if they work for you; or you could listen to your body and change when your strength or performance decreases.

When your body is not responding or stops changing in the way that you'd like it to, it may be time for a change.

Here’s a Metabolic Workout LeeAnne did on Saturday, and yes I asked her for a flex at the end!!

Started with
Movement Prep

Moved to stength work
A1) Leg Press 150lbs 3*15
A2) Bicep Curls 12lbs 3*15

B1) Squat & Row with tubing 3*15
B2) DB Bench Press 15lbs 3*15

Metabolic Circuit 45s work 15 rest(more if needed) -rest 2-3 minutes after complete circuit.

2 circuits
1) Reach lunge & press
2) smash ball
3) upper body step-up
4) Valslide Rev lunge
5) Bosu Burpee with press
6) Inverted Pull
7) KB Swing
8) Unders
9) step-up