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By: Lynn VanDyke

A common problem among many people looking to shed fat and lean out is hitting a plateau. Hitting a plateau can leave most feeling stressed, defeated and ready to give up. There's nothing worse than working hard and eating well only to see all of the progress and results come to a screeching halt. Hitting a plateau is common, but people giving up on their routine once they hit a plateau is even more common. It's sad, but true.


There are a few things you can do to bust through a plateau and jumpstart your fat loss results once more. The most important factor in shattering plateaus is change. Your workout routine must be changed every 4-6 weeks for optimal results. You can change your workout intensity, set or rep range, amount of weight lifted or your entire weight lifting method. One method you can start using is called a pyramid routine.


A pyramid routine is a method of weight training that uses varying reps and weights. There must be at least 3 sets in a pyramid routine, but typically there are 5. The rep range begins at a higher rep range and lighter weight. As the reps decrease the weight size increases. The middle set marks the top of the pyramid, or the lowest rep range at the highest weight. All sets done after the middle set begin to reverse the pattern. Reps begin to increase and weights begin to decrease.


It sounds a bit complicated, but it's really simple to get the hang of it. Here is a quick sample. I am going to use a 5 set pyramid routine for a bicep curl. There is a 1 minute rest in between each set.

- 12 reps at 25 pounds

- 1 minute rest

- 10 reps at 30 pounds

- 1 minute rest

- 8 reps at 35 pounds

- 1 minute rest

- 10 reps at 30 pounds

- 1 minute rest

- 12 reps at 25 pounds

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