How often should I change my workout routine up?

T

TekToN

0
Currently I've been doing a 'normal' 3x12 routine Sundays through Friday (with Saturday off, yah I know... not a lot of rest) alternating between chest/arms and back/legs with an ab routine in there once or twice. I was just merely wondering how often should I change up my routine.



I've been doing my current routine for a little over 3 weeks, I am just curious as to how long should I stick with it. Next I think I'm going to either try a 5x5 workout or continue with a 3x12 with different styles of lifts (Instead of bench press, incline bench with dumbbells, instead of squats, front squats ect...) anyways-- Any advice or direction would be fantastic. Also, which of those 2 would you recommend I do? I have a Journal set up in the Journal section (obviously) for a little more insight to what my workout has me doing... once again as always, thanks fellas (and ladies).
 
Depends on your fitness level and more importantly... your GOALS. What would you call yourself? Noob, intermediate, advanced? And whats your goal, if it's to remain where you are muscle/strength wise, just keep doing what you're doing. DUH. But if you want to improve, you workouts need to improve.

At the moment, my workout changes EVERY TIME. No 2 workouts are the same, I always tend to push/increase at least one parameter... (reps, sets, tempo, time under intensity, weight etc.)

If you're a newbie/intermediate, then I'd recommend you do the workout twice, then dump it and change it up. In the process if you can intensify your parameters... all the better.
 
I can’t remember where I read it but the opinion I read said that people change their workouts too often. If you are going to gain on anything you need to stick with it and keep pushing for more (adding weight). Just as some people start to get in gear to add power and strength they blow it by switching to something new and shiny.

This is true for running too. If you are doing well running and things are starting to take off for you, would you change it up and start using the elliptical or would you focus on your running?

As Fitslug said, guess it depends on what you want to do.
 
I'd do the same routine - but of course progress on the weights, reps, sets, or whatever you want to progress on - untill I started to stagnate. Either change up the setxrep scheme, or change the exercise that isn't progressing anymore.
 
hey tekton- this is a loaded question of yours because your circimstances are changing....

THEREFORE - you may NEED to change soem stuff up. no worries

go back to your journal with me and NBS and we will help you make the most of it.

:) FF :)
 
you should do some cybernetic periodization. you dont really have to switch exercises, but you can alternate them every workout.
for example, i wanted to increase my lat spread and strength so i wanted to row.
i chose to do bent over bb rows and pendlay rows.
the first workout that i wanted to work my back, i did bent over rows 4x8.
the next time i worked my back with rows, i did pendlay rows(an explosive variation) with
4x4.
as you can see, the bent rows have 2x as much volume, so i use that for my volume work. the pendlay rows were kept low volume so i can go heavy for more strength training.
i ended up making a lot of progress week by week.

you can just alternate set/rep schemes too.

squat 3x10 workout 1
next time you squat, do 3x5 with heavy weights.
next time you do 3x10, add some weight.
same with 3x5.
join me, and play around with tons of ways to vary workouts.
 
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