Mixing Things Up

To say that the human body is an amazing machine is an understatement, especially when it comes to diet and exercise. Our bodies are constantly trying to achieve a state of homeostasis. The human body over time will make adjustments to try and adapt to its current environment.

The biggest problem with sticking with the same diet and exercise plan day in and day out is that your body will eventually adapt to that plan. The goal is to make subtle changes that keep your body guessing.

Use shock principles with your workouts

There are minor changes that you can do to your workout that will drastically improve your performance. One trick that I like to use is to take comparable exercises and swap them out from week to week. For example, let's take a basic quadriceps workout. I'll group my exercises into different categories

Category A: Free weight squats, Smith machine squats
Category B: Leg press, Hack squats
Category C: Leg extensions, lunges

During week one I will use one exercise from each category. The following week I will pick a different group of exercises from my list and so on and so on. For example:

Week One: Free weight squats, Hack squats, Leg extensions
Week Two: Smith machine squats, Leg press, lunges
Week Three: Smith machine squats, Leg press, leg extensions

*Note: These are drastic changes and the changes don't have to be done every week but they do keep your workouts from becoming stale.

Another option I use in my workouts is to cycle the weight and intensity. I like to train hard and heavy for three to four weeks then do one to two weeks of lighter weight with higher repetitions. Another benefit to cycling your training intensity is that you can decrease the risk of injuries.

Tying it all together

If you notice that your workout program is no longer working for you then try mixing things up. Add a little spice to your workouts and change the tempo. You may be surprised that a few subtle changes can drastically change your workout results.

Gerald Gore is the owner of the online fitness review site One4Fitness. For more health and fitness related tips and reviews on workout equipment visit Gerald's site at http://www.one4fitness.com


How to Get Better Exercise Results By Improving Hydration

Water and ExerciseYour body excretes water in a number of... Read More

The Truth About Exercise and Why Its Not Always Good for You!

Exercise is often regarded as a panacea for many things..."if... Read More

Debunking the Myth of Spot Reduction

Do you ever wonder how to shrink the fat on... Read More

The Two Greatest Myths About Abdominal Exercises

If you have ever read a fitness magazine...If you have... Read More

Monitor Your Body Fat Levels For Results

A very important aspect in really finding out if you're... Read More

Super Secret Exercise Tips for People with Arthritis

People with arthritis should exercise ? but they need to... Read More

Arthritis Exercise for All Levels

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More

4 Exercises That Will Help You Change Your Body Faster Than Any Other Exercises You May Have Tried

1. Lunges with a barbell. Properly executed, this exercise is... Read More

Exercise Program

The exercise program you choose depends entirely on your fitness... Read More

How to Avoid Using Your Home Gym as a Clothes Rack

So here's the situation?You have a home gym, treadmill, elliptical... Read More

The Bad Workout: Some Advice for Female Bodybuilders

Bad workouts. We have all had them at some time... Read More

Will Your Personal Trainer Help You Achieve Your Goals?

Hiring a personal trainer can be a significant investment ?... Read More

Is Exercise Making You Feel Worse?

I'm sure you've heard the following statement over and over... Read More

Why Do My Feet Hurt So Much When I Run?

If you are a seasoned runner you know the importance... Read More

Why Core is Key

Do you currently suffer or have you ever suffered from... Read More

What is the Right Home Exercise Program for You?

What do you want to get out of the exercise... Read More

How to Keep Your Body Fit

Fitness is just as imperative as health. As a matter... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More

Keep Exercise Journals For Real Results

Always make sure to keep a detailed training journal. By... Read More

Exercise Is a Key to Good Health for All of Us

There's plenty of evidence that an essential component of a... Read More

How to Find a Gym and Start Exercising

There is hardly a week that passes without an article... Read More

Overcoming Resistance to Exercise

Are You Destined to Sit on the Couch?If someone mentions... Read More

Yoga

Yoga traditionally conjures up images of long hair, loin cloths... Read More

Great Summer Workouts: Just Add Water

With warm weather season now in full gear, exercisers want... Read More

The Great Forgotten Exercise -- Parallel Bar Dips

When it comes to building lower pectorals, triceps and frontal... Read More