How long should a rotation last?

[diane57]

I've been doing a Jari Love rotation, S&L & RTTC 3 times a week, with cardio on the alternate days. I've just finished week 4 and I was planning to do 6 weeks. I am SO BURNED OUT, and I'm not seeing the results I wanted. I very much want to discontinue this rotation, just do cardio and yoga for a week, then get back into Cathe and other instructors. However, if I'm just about to get stunning results I don't want to quit and "lose" the 4 weeks I've already put into it.

On Beachbody I read somewhere that with rotations people sometimes don't see results until weeks 5 and 6. What's your experience with this? Should I push through the burnout part and just do the final two weeks?

 

[Rose11]

Every person is different some people see results right away and others need more time. The same goes for the length of rotations. Some people can go for months doing the same rotation while others get bored easily. In my opinion, if you feel you can't give 100% to a certain rotation or if you're bored with it you should try something else for awhile. Sometimes it can be just a week or two and then either go back to the rotation you were doing or do something else to shake things up a bit. I don't think that by changing rotations you will lose what you've accomplished so far; this will only happen if you stop exercising completely.

 

[kathryn]

YMMV, but if you're newer to working out, you can go longer on a rotation than someone who's been working out longer (and who adapts faster because of it). And you can stretch weight workout rotations out farther by increasing weights or decreasing rest periods in the workout. The body adapts faster to cardio (or even types of cardio), which is a good reason for cross-training (keep the body guessing, so it doesn't get too efficient at any one type of cardio).

P90X is a 90-day program that alternates 3 weeks of heavier training with a recovery week (focusing on core, stretching and light cardio). That seems to work quite well. At least for me.

Also, remember that part of progress is allowing enough recovery time. By doing a week of yoga and cardio (not-too-intense cardio, I suggest), you may be surprised at the progress you make. And 1 week of recovery will not make you lose all that you've gained, especially since you won't be 'doing nothing."

I think there is more of a risk of overtraining or backsliding in results if you force yourself to continue through weeks 5 and 6. Your body/mind is trying to tell you something (they need a recovery): listen to them, they are your best personal trainers!