How Often Should You Switch Up Your Workout Routine?

We all love routines, right? Routines begin when we’re very young — babies that go to sleep at night, toddlers that eat and have snacks at the same time, work and school days that generally start on the same time each day.

We have favorite things we eat for breakfast, best times we wake up, holiday traditions. Routines give us order and structure, and help us temper our expectations.

The same goes for workouts. We do almost the same things again and again because we know how we’ll perform. We understand what the exercise will demand of our minds and our bodies, and we get the techniques.

But are you doing your body any good by keeping to a workout routine? Probably not.

Should You Switch Up Your Workout Routine?

Your body needs constant change to keep building strength in previously unused muscles, or to make already-used muscles much tougher. But changing your workout routine may discourage some people because physical results take weeks to show up on the outside. But new exercise may help you mentally — with focus, for example.

Even if you don’t want to tackle a completely new-to-you exercise, you can take your existing workout routine to the next level with a couple of key steps such as more weight, longer distance, or longer time.

Whatever you decide to do with exercise, it’s important not to discount rest. Sleep gives your body and your muscles time to recuperate and integrate the muscle changes from all your hard work. In addition, rest gives you time to repair memory and take advantage of good-for-you hormones.

The Benefits Of Changing Up Your Workout Routine

This quick guide will help you understand the benefits of changing up your workout routine, as well as offer steps for what to do to make it simple — leading to a new workout routine that helps you become stronger, calmer, and ready to go forward energetically with each day.

Image credits: HealthPerch