Choosing a Workout Routine

I’m currently in the process of choosing a new workout routine.  I generally like to change things up ever 6-8 weeks which is why the 3 phase approach of Visual Impact Muscle Building was so appealing to me.  While I could just cycle through the program again, I’ve decided that I want to try a different approach to see what type of results I’ll get.   So what should you consider when choosing a workout routine?  Here are the guidelines I’m using.

Goals

It’s important to choose a routine that is consistent with your goals.  Why do a mass building routine if you want to burn fat?  Different workouts were made for different people as well.  Same thing goss for diets.  There’s no reason to undertake a highly restrictive diet if you know you won’t be able to stick with it.  For example, a diet that eliminates all fat or sugar may sound great but execution could prove incredibly difficult.

It can be challenging to decide if a program fits your goals.  Reading about the routine and testimonials can help but you never really know until you get the full program for yourself and try it out.

Trust

I think this is one of the most crucial aspects in choosing a workout routine.  Do you trust the person who has designed the routine?  You can read all the testimonials in the world and see all the before and after pictures, but in this day and age, how do you know what’s real?  Take a look at this video I posted on my Facebook page a couple weeks ago:

That’s someone who was able to create “after and before” pictures in a matter of hours.  I’ve read about people who get paid to purposely get out of shape and then magically transform their bodies.  Throw in some lighting techniques and Photoshop editing and anything is possible.

The point is that you have to decide on your own what feels real.  Does the person have a blog where they respond to readers?  Do people who leave testimonials have Facebook pages or blogs so you know they’re real?  Do you feel comfortable with the advice and guidance the expert is offering?  How important are credentials to you?  Bottom line, you have to go out on a limb to trust that a workout routine or diet plan actually works.

Customization

Another big question to consider is whether you want a routine that’s flexible or one that is designed to be followed exactly as is.  At this point in my life, I have a set group of exercises I like to perform.  I don’t really want to spend time learning anything new or purchasing new equipment.  For me, customization and the ability to substitute exercises are very important.  For others, they may want an exact layout and would be willing to do or learn whatever exercises are required.  The best of both worlds are plans that provide exact routines but offer advice on how to customize them.

The other thing to consider with regard to customization is whether to buy a routine or construct your own.  This decision will generally depend on your experience level.  Some people don’t know how to construct a routine or take more comfort in knowing that an expert constructed something for them.  There’s also an in-between.  I’m confident in my ability to construct a routine but am always on the lookout for new tips or ways that I can improve my approach.

Time Commitment

Another factor that should play a role in the selection of a workout routine is time commitment.  At this stage in my life, I don’t like to exercise more than one hour at a time.  Many times I have to cut workouts short at 30 minutes.  More exercise just doesn’t go with my work and family schedule.  As a side note, you probably shouldn’t need to exercise more than 45 minutes per day for 4 days per week but that’s a topic for another day.  The point is that when you’re looking at workout routines, if it seems like too much of a commitment (like P90X), then either decide to do it for a limited time or find an alternative that takes less time.

Diet vs. Exercise

The final thing I consider when choosing a workout routine is whether to use a complete program that offers diet tips or mix and match different approaches.  For example, I like intermittent fasting diets such as Eat Stop Eat and Leangains, so finding a program with specific diet guidelines isn’t very important to me.  Diet and exercise obviously work in tandem but you can certainly pair different programs together as long as the goals are congruent.  Again, it may be difficult to use a fat burning diet with a muscle building workout routine.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, a lot of factors go into choosing a workout routine.  You’ll make mistakes along the way as well.  I’ve purchased several programs in the past that just weren’t helpful.  I got a few good tips but the outlined programs just weren’t right for me based on complexity, time, or required equipment.  Sometimes you just have to recognize your mistakes and move on.  Other times, you might want to step out of your comfort zone and try something entirely new.  All this being said, I’m now considering either doing one of my old go-to routines outlined in Fitness in a Flash or How to Get a Beach Body or trying something completely new.  Surprisingly, I’m leaning toward giving a new approach a shot.  I have a couple ideas in mind but any suggestions are appreciated.  I’m happy to offer my thoughts on a variety of workout routines as well, assuming I’ve heard of them.