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Not everyone uses a training plan, as some see any sort of gym work as a bonus to either maintain their physique, or purely to burn some calories. But for most of us, a training plan is an essential tool enabling us to follow a structured routine, meaning nothing gets missed (unless it\u2019s a leg day for some) and as a useful reminder as to what weight to use.<\/p>\n
The whole point of a training plan is to have something that you can follow. Now we\u2019ve all got a certain exercise or two we don\u2019t particularly like, but if the whole plan doesn\u2019t suit you or you simply hate it, chances are, you are going to lose interest in training, as for the most part, training should still be fun.<\/p>\n
There are many ways to hit a particular muscle group, so if one exercise gives you trouble, either through flexibility issues, previous injuries, or balance problems for example, then you need to find an alternative way to get the work done.<\/p>\n
There was a time when not using free weights was deemed to be ducking out of the hard work, but modern machinery can serve as a great – or even superior option to work around a problem you may be facing. The quality of work will always outweigh the type of work, and sometimes being locked into a machine may even serve you better. Remember what Arnold said \u2013 \u201cI only start counting the reps when they start hurting\u2026\u201d so if a certain piece of equipment serves you better, and lets you really hit a muscle \u2013 use it!<\/p>\n
Like the idea of certain routines, but not all of it? Then alter it! Don\u2019t be afraid of creating a hybrid of two or more training plans to make one plan that suits you best, and that makes your training effective and enables progression.<\/p>\n