Changing exercises tooo soon!

David.W · 10-06-2004, 05:08 PM

I sure spend alot of time reading the numerous threads here.. [img]redface.gif[/img] Just a quick question regarding a few trends in opinion ive noticed.

I realise the importance of a routine change out of necessity every 6-8 weeks or so, and this makes complete sense to me. My question (cause i think to much) is... what would happen if you targeted the same muscles but constantly switched the exercises and load (sets reps etc)every session?

Im not actually considering this, but with my new interest in the human body, im very very curious as to how the muscles would respond.

Sorry if its a silly question..

David.W

vandamme · 10-06-2004, 05:40 PM

change in exercises etc...for me is more of a mental thing. its gets stale afeter week and weeks. muscle adapts to load not an exercise or specific rep range. progressive overload is the key factor with continous gains.

austintwo · 10-06-2004, 06:37 PM

If you change the exercises every day, you lose the ability to "get better" technically at the exercise and develop some muscle memory about them - having those allows you to increase the weight you move (strength gains also do the same) - so, I think that is the main logic of stickeing with a routine for 8 weeks or so for beginners, and shorter periods for intermediate and advanced lifters.

Alwyn · 10-06-2004, 06:50 PM

The body adapts to the rep range the fastest, and the exercise selection the slowest.

Changing rep ranges every workout has been shown to work (undulating periodization) - I also wrote an article on it at bodybuilding.com.

Changing the rep range however, means a corresponding change in the sets and rest periods.

Changing the exercise isn't necessary as the body adapts to that variable the slowest.

Remember though that with anything - you need a certain amount of exposure to any training variable in order to see improvements. Change for the sake of change isn't the best method.

AC