"Oh, no! Not another workout…"

You go to the gym on a regular basis, but don't seem to be making any progress. You perform set after set, rep after rep, but nothing happens. Sweat pours off your brow as you struggle to complete each session, but your shape does not change. You had done so well when you first started to exercise, but now you have reached a training plateau…

Sound familiar? Virtually everyone who works out with weights will, at one time or another, reach a training plateau. When this happens, each trip to the gym feels like you're reliving Groundhog Day. One workout just melds into the next and you begin to wonder if you'll ever again make any gains.

If your workout has hit a snag, don't despair. By implementing the following strategies, you can blast through a plateau and take your physique, and your fitness level, to new heights.

Create a Game Plan: You wouldn't embark on a road trip without mapping out your destination. If you do, you're bound to get lost. Yet, in effect, this is often the way people approach their workouts. It is all too common for a person to wander aimlessly around the gym thinking, "What should I do now?" Clearly, such an approach is inefficient.

There is an old adage that states: Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. With respect to exercise, never was a saying more apropos. Without a definitive game plan, it is only a matter of time before you hit a plateau.

The first step in creating a game plan is to clarify your fitness goals. Determine what you want to get out of your training efforts. Is it more size? Slimming down? Better symmetry? Enhanced definition? Each of these objectives requires specific training protocols and thus, a different game plan. By defining exactly where you want to go, you'll have a much easier time getting there.

Once you have qualified your goals, you then can formulate a routine. It is important to plan out each workout in advance. You must know precisely what you are going to do prior to entering the gym. Decide on the exercises, sets and reps that you will perform. Write them down, if necessary. Account for any possible contingencies. In this way, nothing will be left to chance.

During training, avoid any interruptions or distractions that might arise. Now is not the time to socialize or daydream. Save these activities until after you've completed your last set. All of your energies should be focused on carrying out your game plan. Remember, your time in the gym is precious. If you want to make ongoing progress, make sure that every moment is spent productively.

Vary Your Routine: It is amazing how many people go to the gym and perform the same workout from one session to the next. Day after day, month after month, year after year, their routines don't change. How boring! When training becomes mundane, apathy is bound to set in. Ultimately, motivation wanes and a plateau is sure to follow.

The best way to avoid complacency is by constantly varying your exercise regimen. Variety is the spice of training. Not only does it help to keep your workouts fresh, but it also fosters more complete development of your physique. You see, the human body is a very resourceful entity and readily adapts to a repetitive stress. When the same stimulus is applied on a regular basis, the body doesn't respond as well to the stimulus. Only by keeping your body off guard will you continue to reap muscular rewards.

Unlike other fitness programs that take your money and then forget about you, Torchia Fitness Systems will be there with you through every step. You'll receive weekly encouragement and e-mail tips from Michael Torchia himself. Also, you'll have access to our staff of fitness experts to help you stay on track and, most importantly, be accountable to yourself.

In addition, your workout log will be constantly reviewed by our team to evaluate your progress and to ensure that you are always improving. Researchers have found that exercisers who are accountable to a trainer or a partner are more successful in reaching their fitness goals.

Michael is available for Motivational Training as well as Motivational Speaking engagements. For more information, please contact:Michael@michaeltorchia.com

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