'Routine' exercise

joolsmd

I'm currently in a sedentary job so walk to and from work, as well as the odd fitness class. My concern is that people have told me that I'll 'get used to' regular exercise, so the body doesn't burn the calories as much as when you dial it up or start something new. I see this in fitness magazines too, when someone is working out but not seeing results the suggestion is to change the workout, as if the body has got used to the old regime and so needs a new one to start burning calories again.

Surely exercise is exercise, so how does a body 'get used to' it, and stop burning the same calories as before?

shaunroberts

I think it's more to do with our bodies adapting and becoming more efficient. As you do the same exercise you get more and more efficient expending less energy and therefore burning less calories.

Well that's my theory.... I'm sure someone will shoot holes in it lol

Shaun

samhennings

I think the idea is that if you repeat the same action enough your body becomes very economical/efficient with that process and so burns less calories.

In the case of weightlifting this is countered by increasing the weight and therefore workload.

In the case of running I would suggest perhaps intervals of higher intensity.

In your situation I doubt you are working out in the same way frequently enough for it to become an issue, just give it your best each time and Im sure you will be fine.

MeanderingMammal

joolsmd wrote: »

....to change the workout, as if the body has got used to the old regime and so needs a new one to start burning calories again.

so it's about progressively increasing the load on the body, so for me as a runner it's about running for longer, or running faster, or running uphill, or bricking together a bike ride with a run.

rybo

This notion is highly taken out of context. Yes your body adapts and gets more efficient, but it doesn't render your exercise useless. Its just that it isn't optimal anymore.
If you pressed the same weight for the same reps and the same sets every workout you aren't progressing. Most people want to progress and get better. But if you're exercising only to burn calories then it really doesn't matter what you do.

joolsmd

rybo wrote: »

This notion is highly taken out of context. Yes your body adapts and gets more efficient, but it doesn't render your exercise useless. Its just that it isn't optimal anymore.
If you pressed the same weight for the same reps and the same sets every workout you aren't progressing. Most people want to progress and get better. But if you're exercising only to burn calories then it really doesn't matter what you do.

Thank you.