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How To Design Your Own Workout Even If You Aren't A Fitness Expert

 

A common question asked by most people who are new to strength training is “How to design workout routine?” Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a perfect program. As fitness expert Alwyn Cosgrove says “An average program that you stick to is better than a brilliant program that you can’t follow.” While there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution to your fitness needs, you can certainly use a bit of initiative and create your own conditioning routine. Keep the following in mind to create effective routines that are based on your specific needs.

 

1.There is no need to invent something that hasn’t been done before

If you haven’t been getting the results with the program you’ve been following, chances are either you aren’t doing it correctly, or the routine simply isn’t the right one for your body or metabolic type. Often, trainees get caught up with finding the newest exercise or the latest techniques, and forget the basics. The truth is there are only a certain number of exercises for each body part. And while you can introduce your own variations to these exercises, they still largely remain the same.

Let us assume that you have been following a program that got you some gains in your first few weeks, after which you plateaued. Now instead of switching over to a completely different program, it is recommended to change certain aspects of what you were already doing and monitor the results. After all, if you switch to a completely different routine, how will you ever know what parts of your current worked (or didn’t)?

2. Leverage your strengths; don’t waste too much time on your weaknesses

Now, while there is a lot of merit to the idea of ironing out your flaws, a lot of trainees get too caught up with this. For example, if you have a weak bench press, then you are better served by not wearing your muscles out doing an exercise that you can’t really do very well. Instead, you can focus on other exercises that target your chest muscle – such as the dumbbell press or the cable crossover.

The idea behind this principle is that you are likely to benefit more from adding an exercise to your workout which you can perform well, than from adding one which might be more beneficial, but is more difficult to perform. You are more likely to stick with a routine if you can see strength gains, since performing more reps or being able to lift more weight is an immediate indicator of success.

If you come across some great new article or exercise routine on the internet or in a fitness magazine, step back and think before you drop whatever you are doing entirely for this new idea. Instead, think about what parts of the information appeal specifically to you, and then try to subtly integrate one or more ideas into your existing routine. Remember, you cannot track your progress if you keep switching between routines all the time. Use your past successes as benchmarks, and improvise as you go along.

 

In summation, designing your own workout routine need not be as intimidating as it sounds. You do not need to be a certified physical trainer to know what works for your own body. When you have been exercising for a few months, you will gain a fair idea about what works for you, and what doesn’t. Keep this in mind whenever you come across any new information or research in the fitness field. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Build on what you can do well, and you will soon be a veritable fitness expert on your own.

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