Do you spend time in the gym every week, working on your personal fitness goals and trying to improve your overall health? If you’ve been working out for awhile, comes a time when we might start to notice our progress in the gym slowing down or halting altogether. You may find yourself losing motivation and feel like you are stuck in a boring routine. This is known as a fitness plateau, but don’t worry, we will tell you how to make your workouts interesting again!
What is a Fitness Plateau?
Fitness plateaus happen when your training has become stagnant, and you are no longer seeing gains like when you started. Some of the reasons we hit a fitness plateau might be:
- Lack of variety in your workouts/redundant routine
- Overtraining and not getting proper recovery time between workouts
- Poor nutrition
- Lack of sleep
- Lack of motivation
Instead of throwing in the towel, try using your fitness plateau as an opportunity to take your workouts to the next level.
Rethink Your Workouts
First, a little mental reset could help you overcome your fitness plateau. Remind yourself of your fitness goals. Have you already reached them? If so, consider creating new ones. Think about what motivated you to go to the gym at the beginning. Is it the same, or have your motivations changed? Once your goals and motivations are realigned or reset, you’ll gain a newfound sense of purpose in the gym.
Switch-Up Your Routine
Sometimes, a little variety is all it takes to get out of a rut. If you do the same type of workout every week, opt for something new and challenging. If you work out alone, try taking a group fitness class or bring a friend to the gym. You could also hire a personal trainer if your go-to workout no longer challenges you. If you are sick of marathon training by yourself, join a run club for extra motivation and accountability. Try experimenting with different intensities, workout volumes, and weights. Explore the options available and use this opportunity to try something new and different. If you are having fun while you work out, you are more likely to stick with your fitness plan.
Don’t Neglect Recovery
Sometimes, a fitness plateau occurs when we don’t give our bodies enough time to rest, repair, and get stronger. Check-in with yourself and ensure you eat enough of the right foods (including protein) and get proper amounts of downtime to recover from intense workout schedules. The body needs time to rest to replenish essential nutrients and build muscle. Without time off, you will experience a decrease in energy and lack of motivation, which could negate all the hard work you’ve put in.
A plateau doesn’t have to end your fitness journey! With a positive attitude and a little creativity, your goals are closer than they seem. Keep your eye on the prize, and don’t forget to mix it up occasionally. You might surprise yourself!
