Changing up the strength training

htimpaired

I just wanted to see if others have done this.
I've been pretty into kettlebells for the last year, but about a month ago I noticed I started dreading my workouts. I figured maybe I needed to mix it up a bit, so I got a book by Lauren Brooks and started following her program. I did this for about three weeks but find myself dreading it again-I'm thinking maybe I'm burning out and need to change for a bit? Have others burned out from doing one form of exercise and taken a break, then gone back to it?
I'm thinking of trying Stronglifts and setting the bells aside, then going back to the bells afterwards.
Thoughts?

dwolfe1985

Yeah i get a bit burned out with my program as i have been doing it roughly 2 years. When i start to dread workout days i take the week off and come back ready to crush it again.

jacksonpt

Yep, burnout happens. Some people change things up, as you say, some people push through it because they have to in order to progress towards their goals. Really depends on the person and their goals.

On a side note, the real benefit from something like strong lifts comes in the long term - you likely won't gain much, physically, from doing it for a few weeks. You may recharge mentally, but it's not likely to make much difference physically. Just FYI.

aakaakaak

If you're not doing something you enjoy doing you will quit. If you're getting bored of kettlebells switch to stronglifts or starting strength for a while, or do something else. Just don't forget to hit your ancillary exercises. SL and SS both pretty much ignore them on the grounds of "compound exercises" but are you really hitting your calves with either program? Doubtful.

DawnieB1977

I do a lot of classes as I like the variety, and I use the gym too. I'd get bored doing just one thing.

jacksonpt

aakaakaak wrote: »

If you're not doing something you enjoy doing you will quit. If you're getting bored of kettlebells switch to stronglifts or starting strength for a while, or do something else. Just don't forget to hit your ancillary exercises. SL and SS both pretty much ignore them on the grounds of "compound exercises" but are you really hitting your calves with either program? Doubtful.

I disagree with the majority of this post.

ninerbuff

Sometimes just subtle changes help. Change the pace (less rest), change the order (try doing it in reverse), add a cardio exercise in between sets (jump rope, burpee, run in place, etc.).

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AllanMisner

Why do you think they invented the concept of muscle confusion? Most experienced trainees should shift to different modalities from time to time to keep balanced and keep from burning out. There are many ways to skin the cat, find one you enjoy and do it as long as it is working and you still enjoy it.

jacksonpt

AllanMisner wrote: »

Why do you think they invented the concept of muscle confusion? Most experienced trainees should shift to different modalities from time to time to keep balanced and keep from burning out. There are many ways to skin the cat, find one you enjoy and do it as long as it is working and you still enjoy it.

Muscle confusion is nonsense. It's a buzz word created to sell a workout program. Keeping balanced or preventing burnout is entirely different. Yes, there are multiple paths to success.