Q: For the past five months, I've been performing the same strength- training routine that the trainer in my gym recommended. It's a little boring and also pretty easy to do now. How do I know when I'm ready to lift more weight? - M.M., Chicago, IL

A: If you've trained five months on the same program, you probably have made little or no progress recently because your body has become acclimated to the workload you've put it through. Once an exercise routine starts to feel easy, you'll know that you've reached a workout plateau and are ready for a new overload. Begin to add more weight in your next workout, remembering to increase the weights by no more than 10 pounds. Adding too much weight can lead to muscle fatigue, improper lifting form, and eventually a joint injury.

In order to create overload in your weight-training program, do the following:

* As you get stronger, continually, but incrementally, increase the amount of weight you use in a session.
* Steadily raise the number of repetitions you complete in a given set.
* Decrease your training time between sets.
* Increase the number of times you work out each week.

Every six to eight weeks you should be ready to move on to another training program. To keep yourself motivated, set personal goals for yourself, or have your trainer recommend some for you.

Source: fitlinxx.com