This Is How to Bust Through a Workout Plateau
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Breaking through plateaus requires hard work. That's why we partnered with Propel Electrolyte Water, which comes packed with electrolytes to keep you working hard through any fitness routine.
If you've ever felt completely unmotivated during a workout or just stopped seeing results entirely, you might have hit the dreaded fitness plateau. The first few weeks or months of a new exercise routine might help you gain muscle and achieve your overall wellness goals, but once your training becomes routine, it can get harder for your body to build strength and respond to the work you're putting in. But the good news is that you can do something about it. By introducing new hurdles, your muscles — and your attitude — can get a quick recharge. Here, six ways to bust through your workout plateau like a pro.
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First Things First: Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can affect your workout in big ways. Fatigue, elevated heart rate (higher than what you're aiming for), and cramps are all signs you need more water. Keeping a bottle on hand during every workout will ensure you're performing at your best. Bonus if your H20's got electrolytes to replace the minerals you lose when you sweat!
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Try High-Intensity Cardio
High-intensity interval training (also referred to as HIIT) is a supereffective way to challenge your body and use up stored energy (or stored fat). The way HIIT works is simple: you perform a number of difficult exercises in a short period of time at your maximum effort (think burpees), recovering for a few moments after each one.
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Start Lifting Heavier Weights
If strength training is part of your workout routine, you're going to want to pick up heavier dumbbells at some point. Increasing the weight will not only help you lose weight — more muscle means a boosted metabolism — but you'll also tone your body faster than if you were just doing cardio.
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Pick Up Some Kettlebells
Exercising with kettlebells is a total-body workout, providing enough resistance to give you a cardio burn that torches major calories. Using them correctly takes practice — you can lift or swing them — but once you get the form down, you'll be on track to dominating your goals.
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Make a Better Playlist
It might sound silly, but if you're a runner or jogger, creating a fast-paced playlist will push you to move quicker than normal. Science says so. You'll want to search for songs that hit at or above 150 BPM to keep your heart rate up.
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Take a Rest Day
Muscles need time to recover, so if you've been hitting the gym every day, that could very well be the reason you're not seeing a change in your body. When you lift weights, your muscle tissue breaks down, and like everything else in life, it needs time to repair. Be sure to build in days off where you focus on stretching and recovery.
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Get the Most Out of Your Workout With Propel Electrolyte Water
Making it through a tough workout requires focus and hydration. With Propel Electrolyte Water, you get the benefits of pure, unflavored water and Gatorade-level electrolytes to help you get the most out of every workout.