more informtion on "mixing it up" with exercise, please

floridapanthergirl

I have been on a plateau for a while and met with my trainer today who suggested, among other things, to mix up my exercise routine. I mentioned this to a smarty-pants friend of mine today and she said that this idea has been proven as invalid. Now, this friend of mine is very bright, and prides herself on knowing the current research in many areas, and is glad to tell you what she knows, even if you haven't asked her. (Can you tell it p--sed me off?) I AM asking you what you know In this area? Any studies done? What is the current research? I want to know just for myself. If you have any ideas about how to respond to a friend you really care about who makes these kinds of comments with some regularity, I would be interested in that too. Thanks

bonniecarbs

Thats all I've heard that you need to mix it up, from the beginning of time I've beent old that. Since I dont know jack, I tend to go with what the majority says!

RobynMWilson

I could quote research but the proof is in the pictures. My body stopped responding to mostly cardio and light weights (yanno, the pink ones lol) so I changed it up and mixed it up in a BIG way last Spring..starting with ChaLEAN Extreme for 3 months, which switches up phases every 30 days, then P90X for 3 months, which switches up phases every 30 days, then ChaLEAN Extreme, which I've extended a little but but will be switching up completely to a program called Les Mills Combat in April. I've never had results like the results I've gotten in the past year, and I've been working out a LONG time!

UsernameStillLoading

It does work. Well for me at least.
Your body learns how to adapt so if you keep doing the same thing over and over, it will get used to that and the workouts won't be as effective as before.
A sudden shock to the system will keep it doing what it needs to do. It's like driving. If you keep the same speed throughout your whole journey, you'll still get to your destination. However, if you push down on the accelerator every now and then, you'll get there faster.

now_or_never13

I'm not sure where your friend gets her info... Dr Oz maybe....

You do need to change things up. When your body does the same thing over and over and over again it will adapt and not use as much energy to get the same task done. Switching things up often allows you to avoid your body adapting.

I lose much better when I don't do the same exercise each day.