How to Change Your Workout Routine

How To Change Your Workout Routine

Finding a workout routine that is in tune with your preferences and requirements is often a dream come true. This is why most people tend to stick to their workout routines for a while; of course with the added ego boost of breezing through what you once failed to get through. But, the truth is it is integral for you to change your workout routine periodically to see long term gains and skip those nasty plateaus! Don’t let a static workout routine bog you down.

So, how often should you change your workout routine?

Most experts recommend that you change your workout routine every three or four weeks. But, this does not mean throwing the entire routine out the window and starting afresh. Instead, it is important to maintain the key elements of your workout for two to three months, and keep switching superficial elements every week.

How should you change it?

While changing your workout routine, it is important to remember your requirements and preferences. If you are looking to develop broader shoulders, that forms a part of your key elements. It should govern all decisions for your workout routine. You can then look at adding short exercises which help with cardio, strength training, etc. with an underlying emphasis on your shoulders. You can also change your load density. If you have been doing 60 reps of shoulder shrugs with 10 kilo weights, try doing 30 sets with 15 kilo weights.

Most importantly, what are the benefits of a dynamic routine?

A dynamic workout routine keeps you interested in working out. When you do the same routine for months on end, you gradually lose interest in it. You also don’t push yourself as hard as you once did. And, because of that, you hit the weight loss plateau. Here, despite your best efforts, you fail to see any measurable improvements. So, by switching up your workout routine regularly, you can avoid the dreaded plateau, maintain interest in working out, and see faster results.

Sarah Mitchell, RD, LDN

Sarah Mitchell is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (RD, LDN) based in Austin, Texas, with over 12 years of experience in women's health nutrition. She earned her B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her clinical dietetic internship at St. David's Medical Center. Sarah specializes in hormonal health, PCOS management, and weight-neutral approaches to nutrition for women in their 30s and 40s. She spent seven years as a clinical dietitian at a women's health clinic before transitioning to private practice and health writing, where she focuses on making evidence-based nutrition accessible to everyday women. Her work has been featured in Everyday Health, Women's Health Magazine, and Healthline. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Women's Health Dietetic Practice Group. All nutrition-related articles on Living Healthy Life are reviewed by Sarah to ensure accuracy and clinical integrity.