Consistency is the key to making progress. However, doing too many of the same exercises over and over again can lead to stagnation.
To continue achieving your goals and avoid plateauing, it is important to change your workout routine periodically. Therefore, it is recommended to change your exercise routine every 4-6 weeks.
The 4-6 week time frame is appropriate for how long it takes your body to fully adapt to the impact of a particular exercise routine. After this time, your progress will likely plateau if you continue with your old routine as your body figures out how to handle it.
Another important element to include in your training schedule is a deload week. About every 4-6 weeks, you should reduce the intensity or volume of your workouts to allow your body to fully recover.
Deload weeks prevent burnout, avoid overtraining, and give your muscles and nervous system a break. This recovery time not only helps prevent injury, but also improves your mental health. It’s also important for maintaining long-term consistency and motivation.