Finding a Routine…

Routines are a good thing.

People are creatures of habit, and when they find something they like, chances are they’ll stick to it. The same can certainly be said for workout routines. Many people will only workout during the week. Several people only workout on the weekends. There are some who enjoy the 3 day, Monday/Wednesday/Friday split. Some people have to workout in the morning. Some must do nights. And some will commit their lunch hour for exercise.

Time is not the only routine people get into with their fitness plans. The type of exercises and the way we arrange them is also a routine. A common routine is dedicating some days to upper body and some to the lower half. I have known many who will split their time between weights and running or swimming. When I boxed, I had to redirect my schedule to make time to hit the weights and do sprints after I had done my sparring, mitt training, and bag work. People who enjoy (cough, cough)…CrossFit…have to split their time up between weights and whatever ridiculous fad of the day the program has on the agenda.

I’ve rambled enough. All this to say: routines are necessary for success in the weight room. If you are like me, this is hard to stomach because I am the first to resist routines. I like to live by the seat of my pants, I like to have freedom, I like to have a relaxed schedule. Without a fitness routine, however, the seat of my pants will likely get wider, the only time I see the word “freedom” it will likely be followed by fries, and my relaxed schedule will lead to too much R & R and not enough clean & jerk. So I encourage all who read this to adopt a fitness routine. It WILL matter. Decide on the 2, 3, or 4 days per week you will workout. Write them down, commit to them, and make a plan on how you will train. Afterall, consistently doing something–even if its not that great–is always better than doing a killer workout with scientifically founded purpose once in a blue moon.

Perhaps thats why Crossfitters are having success…