How important is it to change up your exercise routine?!
Question: I mean as far as weight loss.... I have a routine that works well for me but, I hear people talking about changing from time to time. Is it just to break monotony?
Also, is this correct: for weight loss you should get your heart rate up and then slowly bring it down and then back up ... like a roller coaster.
Answers: I mean as far as weight loss.... I have a routine that works well for me but, I hear people talking about changing from time to time. Is it just to break monotony?
Also, is this correct: for weight loss you should get your heart rate up and then slowly bring it down and then back up ... like a roller coaster.
The first important thing you need to know is that when it comes to fitness, everyone is different. One strategy or routine doesn't fit everyone's needs.
At the same time, it is important to change your routine every few weeks, say every 3 weeks to a month. The reason this is good for you is because your body is designed for adaptation. If you did nothing but push-ups for a month, you would get really good at push-ups, and your chest strength would increase. Overall, however, your body would ultimately burn less fuel, consume fewer calories, because you're getting your body used to the exercise.
This applies to all individual exercises you would do on a regular basis. Many professional athletes, especially in the Mixed Martial Arts field, opt for performance based exercises that mimic those movements they have to do in competition. For instance, punching with weights in your hands, performing weighted and sequenced rolls or jumps, and high intensity, varied cardio, are all popular choices.
What this means for you is you keep your body guessing as to what kind of impact it will have to deal with, and never let it get too used to one routine. Try taking the routine that works for you and making small adjustments each week. If you do bench press, seated bicep curls, and tricep extensions one week, try decline and incline presses, machine curls, and cable tricep extensions the next.
For cardio, try interval training, long distance running, biking, and the eliptical machine. One of my favorite options for strength and endurance was always the rock climbing wall. My old gym had one that moved like a treadmill (called a Treadwall).
If you make an honest attempt at pushing yourself to your limits (or very close) and employ a few different routines, then you're well on your way to total fitness. Try developing 3 or more routines that you like and work for you, and switch off every couple of weeks. This will help you make faster gains (and losses) where you want them.
You should change your routine every couple of weeks. This does not allow your body to get used to the same routine every week. If you change your routine, you will have better results.
You Should Change Your Routine As Your Body Will Get Used To The Routine And You Will Not Get Maximum Results If You Work Yourself Harder By Changing Your Routine.
they call it chasing the blood flow to the muscles
They mostly advise changing your routine so you don't get sick of it and give up. Any cardiovascular activity will burn fat and consequently make you lose weight. the best exercise for toning is resistance training (weights). However i always try and do a couple of classes a week (kicboxing, spinning etc) because not only does it spice things up a bit it works muscles that may get neglected in my usual routine.
Interval training (taking your heart rate up and down) is great for improving your stamina. Try running on the treadmill at your normal pace for three minutes, then sprinting for 1 and repeat this pattern for the duration of the time your on the machine. You'll soon be able to sprint for a lot longer and studies have shown that it's not the duration of your exercise session that matters but its intensity.
Good luck.