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Old 02-26-2008, 08:38 AM
EricT EricT is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,314
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I agree with the others about the need to switch up routines. You don't need to switch arbitrarily.

However, your really should get away from the machines. Why can't you use dumbells.

But like I said, these are just suggestions for problems I see in your routine and not meant to suggest that you "need" to switch.

On the same token, when it comes to fat loss, since that is also your goal, switching up has some merit. Replacing one exercise with a similar but slightly different one, when doing circuits is acutally helpful. As far as gaining muscle then it is like the other said. You should do what you are doing unitl you no longer progress well then make changes. But in terms of fat loss doing the same thing for too long just make your body able to do it more efficiently which means less fat burned. But just a little switch in the muscle used or movement patterns can fix that up. You'd still gain muscle either way and you'll still lose fat either way if your diet is right. But the way that is best for strength and lean mass gains is not necessarily best for fat loss.

Another option is to pick some big complex movements that you do in a traditional strength and mass gaining way OUTSIDE of the circuit and do those first. Then have a circuit after that so that the circuit can be a little more fluid. This, IMO, is probably the best way for many reasons.

You could replace leg press with lunges done with dumbells. Actually you could start with split squats (stationary) until you get the balance down (not too difficult) and then progress to reverse lunges and onward or you can progress other ways. This will do much more for you than leg press. I honestly don't understand why hardly anyone seems to even consider single leg stuff when they don't want to go to squats. There are also step ups....

Something more complex and "fullbody" to replace those leg extensions and curls would be very good also.
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If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.
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