Does Changing Your Workout Help You Stay Motivated?
The effects of exercise variation in muscle thickness, maximal strength and motivation in resistance trained men
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Randomizing exercises didn’t improve muscle growth—but *did* dramatically boost motivation.
Many fitness programs promote 'muscle confusion' as a way to grow faster, but this study shows hypertrophy was identical—yet motivation skyrocketed.
Practical Takeaways
Use an app or randomizer to pick your exercises each session if you're feeling bored or unmotivated.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Randomizing exercises didn’t improve muscle growth—but *did* dramatically boost motivation.
Many fitness programs promote 'muscle confusion' as a way to grow faster, but this study shows hypertrophy was identical—yet motivation skyrocketed.
Practical Takeaways
Use an app or randomizer to pick your exercises each session if you're feeling bored or unmotivated.
Publication
Journal
PLoS ONE
Year
2019
Authors
Eneko Baz-Valle, B. Schoenfeld, J. Torres-Unda, J. Santos-Concejero, C. Balsalobre-Fernández
Related Content
Claims (5)
If gym guys use an app to switch up their workouts every time, they might enjoy training more — without losing gains in leg strength or muscle size.
If you're a guy who's already lifting weights, doing 4 workouts a week for 8 weeks will noticeably grow your thigh muscles — and it doesn’t matter whether you stick to the same routine or mix it up every time.
If gym guys switch up their workouts randomly every time, they stay more motivated over 8 weeks compared to doing the same routine every time.
If you're a guy who already lifts weights, doing 4 workouts a week for 8 weeks will make you way stronger—adding about 25 pounds to your squat and 10 pounds to your bench, whether you stick to the same routine or mix it up.
If you mix up your workouts for the same muscle, you’ll grow that muscle more evenly than if you always do the same exercise.