A workout plateau is when you are not seeing results from your workouts any longer. You can't seem to get past a certain level, and no matter what you try, it is just not working for you. You are training hard, but not seeing any gains from when you started.
Why does this happen?
There are a few factors that come into play. According to the American Council on Exercise, it could be because you have been doing the same thing over and over again, and your body has adapted to it.
Other times, it is because you are overtraining your body and it needs more time to repair itself after a hard workout before it can effectively adapt to the next one.
How to Push Through Your Workout Plateau
Incorporate Small Changes in Your Routine
Incorporate small changes in your routine so that you avoid doing exactly the same thing every day. If you usually do lunges standing up, try doing them while holding dumbbells instead.
Use Progressive Overload
This means gradually adding weight or repetitions to your workout so that the exercises become more challenging over time. This will keep your muscles growing and prevent injury.
Get Rest
Sometimes the best way to push past a plateau is just to rest and relax. If you have been working out consistently for weeks, give yourself some time off so that your body can repair itself and then come back stronger than ever.
Get a Professional’s Help
If you are really struggling with pushing past plateaus, consider hiring a professional trainer who can help keep track of your progress, change routines as needed, and provide motivation when things get tough.
As with most things, we suggest listening to your body above all else. If you feel like you need guidance, speak with the trainers at The Zone NYC who can answer your questions and help you get over workout plateau with the training of your choice!
