Break Through Your Fitness Plateau
It happens to all of us. We do everything right: go to the gym, eat right, lift weights, do cardio, and crushing the lifestyle. Losing weight has slowed down, and we aren't hitting our max weights and feeling weaker. It's normal; YOU HAVE HIT FITNESS PLATEAU! While fitness plateaus can be frustrating, you need to know that they are not permanent and can be overcome.
A fitness plateau happens when the progress you've been making, like losing weight, toning up, or getting stronger, has stalled or even halted. The good thing is everyone experiences them. Look at plateaus as a good thing; you did some great work prior, and now the body needs another adjustment or change to progress.
Here are some helpful tips to get out of your fitness plateau and continue your fitness journey!
Note: Everyone's body is different and will respond differently. Try these tips to see what works best for you.
1. Ramp Up Your Workout Intensity
The body is constantly adjusting and adapting. A simple and easy way to break out of this plateau is to make your body work harder, NOT LONGER. Increase the weight you use and lower the repetitions. Make sure you keep proper form and perform the exercises safely, especially when adding a heavier workload.
2. Mix Up Your Routine
Give your body a new challenge outside of the normal. Make your body learn how to adapt to new movements and exercises. For example, if you do machines primarily, switch to free weights. If you jog on a treadmill, do an interval split or add incline. Do new exercises and movements to force the body to do something new.
3. Back Off on The Load
As I mentioned above, we wanted to increase the load. But if you are already lifting on the heavier side, lighten the weight for a week or short period. To make the workouts efficient and challenging still, add repetitions. By lowering the weight, you are allowing the muscles to recover and boost their growth as well.
4. REST & Recover
I can't stress enough that getting adequate rest is critical for development and allows the body to recover. Don't worry about missing workouts, and Overtraining can make you lose the progress that you have made so far. The body needs to rest and recharge.
5. What Are You Eating?
If you don't give your body proper nutrients, muscles will not be able to grow, and they won't have the fuel to power your workouts. All your training will go to waste without the appropriate levels of carbs, protein, fats, and nutrients.
Fitness plateaus are frustrating, and you go from tremendous results to seeing no changes. However, it is essential to know that plateaus are normal and aren't too difficult to overcome.
If you are struggling with a fitness plateau or want to talk more about these, contact me at tsprockhoff@yellowcreekspa.com, 330-665-2555 ext. 2262, or message us on IG: @yellowcreekgym and allow us to help YOU!