The Importance of Sticking to Your Fitness Program

Why Men Should Stick to Their Fitness Programs

Men who follow fitness programs, whether with a trainer or from a book or magazine, often have the tendency to tinker with what’s being prescribed. This habit of improvising exercises or adding more sets or workouts can lead to a training plateau and hinder progress.

Trainer Dan John, author of “Mass Made Simple,” explains that this behavior, known as “exercise add,” is a common pitfall for many men. They may add more sets or exercises, switch to another program too soon, or even do additional workouts on rest days. However, this can leave them too exhausted to succeed with the program at hand and hinder their progress.

According to John, the primary reason why many guys never progress is because they fail to stay the course. Most programs are designed to last about six weeks, and the key to success is making it all the way to that sixth week. It’s important to resist the temptation to deviate from the program and instead stay committed to the prescribed exercises and rest days.

If boredom with a particular move sets in, it’s advisable to ask a trainer to show alternative exercises that replicate the same movement pattern. This way, men can keep their workouts interesting while still staying on track with their program.

One effective way to stay motivated is to follow the program with a friend or have a specific incentive or goal waiting at the end. Even something as simple as an “after” selfie can provide the necessary motivation to see the program through to completion.