Anyone who exercises regularly is familiar with the term "plateau."  And if you aren't...its real simple...it means you "ain't getting results because your body has adapted to your current program."

When I first began training I was under the impression that my clients would get results at first, but then, through some cosmic force would inevitably hit a plateau as many trainers and clients had previously told me...and there was nothing I could do about it.

Well, pardon my French, but this is a bunch of B.S.!

Why?

Because the only way you "plateau" with your program is if you ALLOW yourself to.

If you aren't getting stronger, if you aren't losing inches, if you don't have more energy, if you aren't seeing muscle definition, basically anything pertaining to where you want to be with your fitness program...

It's because something YOUR doing...NOT what your program could potentially be doing for you!

You can easily break free from this by being proactive about the situation.

I know I am.  When I train my clients I ALWAYS change their exercise routines every 3 sessions.  I know it does two things.  One, ensure my clients are always interested in their training.  Two and most importantly...always ensure that they are getting results!

Here are some things that I do...and I'm positive they will work for you. 

Please note that the following pertains to strength training.  It already assumes that you are eating healthy and you're doing progressive cardio exercise.

I always write everything down. 

This is crucial because I always make sure a client is either doing more repetitions (generally 12-25 reps) or more resistance (weight) than they have done previously.  I don't care if client does a quarter of a rep more on their last session...it gets documented. 

Like I've told you before, if you aren't writing things down...you can kiss your results good-bye...you will not know where you left off...hence, you will not know where you're going.  Everything you do must be written down.

Jim Coughlin has Weekly Emails on Motivation, Fitness, Health and Maximum Success for You! Jim's weekly tips will inspire you unlike ANYTHING you'll read on the internet today. And they're free. Sign up right now. Name Email

Always change your type of strength training resistance whenever you decide to change up your program.

For example, if you are currently on machines, change to cables, then free weights, then body-weight calisthenics, then elastic bands, then isometric training and so on and so on.   H*ll, you can even try incorporating cardio into your routine.  Be creative.  The possibilities ARE truly endless!

I promise if you do this, your body will NEVER adapt or "plateau."  It will always be guessing what's coming next.  It will always be off balance.  And to get awesome results, that's what you want!

Want proof?

One of my best clients...Nancy Runnings, has been training with me for over a year and til this very day is sore after her workouts because I constantly change up her program.  (This means her body is constantly being tested and challenged.) 

Though, being sore is not the only thing she has experienced...she has dropped almost 80 pounds!  (Her testimonial is on my site)  Her body fat percentage is now 20-24% and she just competed in a triathlon!  Unbelievable...she is the reason why I do what I do!

Yes, she has eaten healthy and yes, she has done cardio almost everyday. 

But she would not have experienced the results she did if it weren't for her strength training routine constantly being varied.  This stuff works and always will.

I know you've heard this many times...but it bears repeating...Nancy is no different then you.  All she did was make a decision to change.  That's it.  You can do the same.

So let's recap. 

In order to avoided that pesky plateau.  Always change your routine a minimum of every 2-3 weeks.  Always document your workouts and last but certainly not least, be sure to change your type of resistance when strength training.

Jim Coughlin is a personal trainer and the owner of Coughlin Fitness & Results, a nationwide personal training company. He is also the author of The In-Home Personal Trainer, a helpful guide to successful in-home personal training in addition to other products and many other popular fitness articles.

Jim is very passionate at motivating people to empower themselves to live a healthy lifestyle through consistent exercise and proper nutrition. He has free weekly success tips which you are welcome to subscribe to on his website http://www.fitnessandresults.com