How do you know if you hit a plateau

[scm]

I work out 5-6 days a week, exclusively with Cathe. I mostly rotate my workouts by muscle group, for example,
M: Chest/Back
T: Legs and abs
W: Bis/Tris
T: Shoulders and abs
F: Step
S: off
S: Circuit
I've been doing this for about four months. My weight doesn’t change, or how much I can lift either. Does that mean I've hit a plateau?
I guess what I'm wondering, is your body or muscles suppose to constantly change? Cathe puts together one month rotations focusing on endurance, strength etc. Is the purpose to keep you in good shape or make noticeable changes?

Susan C.M.

 

[Maximus]

I once read a Schwarzenegger article that said the main reason to change your workout is when you get bored w/it. He said if you enjoy what you're doing it's OK to stick w/it.

That said, I've been doing pretty much the same routine for about 8 years now. Frankly if I tried to change up my workout the way I did in my "youth" I'd screw up the schedule I worked so hard to create & stick to.

I don't know--I think everyone has to do what's best for them. I know my muscles haven't changed much over the last 10 years (although my weight sure has LOL). But I reached my goals long ago so it doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[Rose11]

I think you should post your question in the Ask Cathe forum.

Some people are happy with the routine that works for them even if they don't see any changes, but muscles need a shock every once in awhile if you want to see changes. That's why bodybuilders use the so called Weider principles and base their routines on them so they don't get stuck. I change my rotations every 4-8 weeks. I know I've hit a plateau when I've been doing the same thing again and again and I don't see any changes in my weight or my strength gains.

 

[CurlyQ]

Ideally you should vary your rotation every 4-6 weeks. By doing the same thing over and over you're recruiting the same muscle types. Muscles have "memory" so by changing it up you're keeping your muscles guessing (challenged). Doing this makes you stronger overall (cardiovascularly and strength-wise). There's a lot of physiology that I could get into but this is the short-easy answer.

 

[Snazzy]

>Ideally you should vary your rotation every 4-6 weeks. By
>doing the same thing over and over you're recruiting the same
>muscle types. Muscles have "memory" so by changing it up
>you're keeping your muscles guessing (challenged). Doing this
>makes you stronger overall (cardiovascularly and
>strength-wise). There's a lot of physiology that I could get
>into but this is the short-easy answer.
>
>
>
>
DITTO!