Many people hit plateaus in their strength training workout programs. The reps stay the same,  the weight they push stays the same, the scale doesn’t move, or their bodyfat percentage is stagnant.

How do you breakthrough these stubborn fitness workout plateaus?

Here are 7 proven strength training tips to jumpstart your fitness exercise program, and shatter your workout goals.

1.  Start tracking your fitness workouts.   Be aware of your numbers (weight, reps, and what you need to beat from the last workout).

2.  Focus on increasing intensity.   In order to increase intensity, use more weight, less rest between sets, train to failure, implement forced reps, or use negatives. 

The most important fitness workout tip I can offer you that will propel you through your fitness program plateaus is to CHANGE YOUR MINDSET to BOOST INTENSITY, each and every set.

It is important to think higher intensity prior to beginning your strength training workout.

3.  Change your workout around. Incorporate different movements. Use dumbells instead of a barbells. Another example is incline bench in place of the flat bench. The moral of the story is alter your workouts from time to time.

4.  Take more days off. Most strength training enthusiasts are overtrained. They simply do not rest enough between sessions to allow their muscles to adapt and grow stronger.

Rule of thumb – The higher the intensity, the more rest needed between workouts.

If you haven’t seen progress with an increase in workout weight, or reps for the last 6 months, then take two week off, completely, before you begin your new fitness program.

5.  Make sure you are getting appropriate nutrition.  Appropriate nutrition means eating a variety of lean protein, carbs, and a limited amount of fat. It is important to eat carbs, and protein within two hours after completing a high intensity strength training session.

6.  Decrease your sets for each bodypart. This, once again, falls into the overtraining zone. Decrease your sets, and focus on boosting up the intensity on the limited sets you are going to perform.

7.  Find a workout partner, or qualified personal trainer to push you past your plateaus.

If you focus on these seven simple strength training workout  points you will soon see your plateau in the rear view mirror.

For even more fitness program tips like these visit our fitness newsletter.