If you've been consistently hitting the gym for a while now, first of all, well done you! It's not easy creating a new routine and showing up for yourself week after week. 

But if you've been working away for a good few months, you might be starting to notice a bit of a plateau. Maybe exercises that once took all you had now feel kind of routine, and you finish your workout sweaty, sure, but not really challenged.

If this sounds familiar, I have some good news for you. According to Fernwood Fitness personal trainer Kara Sleigh, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"If it's starting to feel easier, it's a positive sign," she said.

"It means that your body's adapting to that stimulus by getting fitter, stronger and more efficient in what you're doing."

She told me that feeling like your workouts have become too easy isn't a sign they're failing. It's often a sign you're ready for your next challenge.

So, what should women do when they hit a fitness plateau? After 24 years of working as a personal trainer, Kara has a few ideas to get your gym spark back.

Find the right fitness environment.

Let's be real here. For many of us, a trip to the gym can feel pretty daunting. 

The rows of machines and sweaty people who seem to instinctively know what they're doing can be intimidating to say the least.

But not all gyms are created equal. Some are designed to address this exact barrier, and Fernwood is the 'OG' when it comes to fitness by women for women.

"Fernwood has the ability to create an environment where women feel comfortable, supported and also understood," said Kara. And the benefits of this are pretty far-reaching.

"When women feel safe to ask questions, try new things and come in and do a workout focusing on their own goals without feeling intimidated, they're much more likely to stay consistent."

That kind of support can make all the difference when you've hit a plateau.

While a one-size-fits-all approach might get you so far, lasting results often come from being in an environment that understands the realities of women's lives. This might include navigating different life stages, balancing a busy career or managing family life.

Walking into Fernwood, you'll find a premium all-in-one fitness experience with high-quality gym equipment for independent training. There's also a huge range of group fitness classes, reformer pilates and their FIIT30 small group training sessions. It makes it easier to challenge your body in different ways without needing multiple memberships.

Most importantly, said Kara, you'll find support whenever you need it. One of the things she loves about a women-only environment is that members feel comfortable learning new skills and building confidence in spaces that can otherwise feel intimidating.

"We pride ourselves on creating a community where all women can come in and build confidence, celebrate their progress and feel genuinely supported every single step of the way," she said.

Mix it up, but make sure you have a plan.

"Variety is incredibly important when it comes to working out, but it needs to be purposeful rather than just random," Kara explained. 

But what does that look like?

"For me, being a personal trainer, strength training will always remain the foundation of everything that we do," she said. 

But reformer classes, cardio sessions and recovery workouts all have their place and work really well alongside strength training. Lifting weights helps build muscle, support metabolism and set women up for long-term health — you can think of it as the anchor that supports all your other workouts.

According to Kara, variety isn't just jumping from one trend to the next. It's about giving your body new and different challenges to respond to.

"The body reacts well to variety in your routine," she said. "That's why changing things up can be one of the best ways to break through a plateau, both physically and mentally."

One way to do that is by trying different styles of strength training, as varying the weights, movements and intensity can help target muscle groups differently and keep your body adapting.

Don't stop challenging your body.

While it's tempting to just sit on the stationary bike for 45 minutes and watch an episode of Below Deck, it probably won't get you where you want to go. 

Kara agreed that all movement is fantastic, but if your goal is to get stronger and feel more energised in your day-to-day, progressive overload is your new best friend. 

It sounds complicated, but according to Kara, it couldn't be simpler. "Progressive overload just means asking your body to do a little bit more over time." This can mean increasing your weights, adding more reps, honing your technique or upping the intensity. 

Remember, short workouts can still deliver big results.

Of course, we all want more for less, especially when it comes to our workouts. And the good news here is that quality is actually far more important than quantity. 

That's right! Kara said 30-minute sessions are more than enough to see real results and Fernwood's FIIT30 classes fit this brief beautifully. 

"It's a short, sharp, really effective workout," she said. "I like to think of it almost like a personal training session with the same energy level as a group fitness class."

She said the sessions are varied, trainer-led and scalable to meet you wherever you're at. They're also running multiple times throughout the day, so you can jump into a session whenever it suits your schedule and be out the door 30 minutes later.

Look beyond the numbers.

So, how do you know it's time to mix up your routine?

Well first, Kara said, "The scales only tell a really small part of the story." So don't use weight loss (or gain) as your guide. 

She explained that a fitness plateau often shows up as a workout that no longer feels challenging. You might stop getting stronger, stop noticing changes in your fitness or body composition, or simply find yourself feeling less motivated because the results that once came easily have started to slow down.

"It's a very normal part of a fitness journey, and it often just means you've got to make some adjustments to your training routine rather than just give up."

And if you have changed things, but you're wondering how to tell if it's working? 

Kara said if you're noticing any of these things, you're definitely on the right track:

• More energy

• Improved sleep

• Better, faster recovery

• Increased confidence

• Improved posture

• Lifting heavier

• Your daily stresses feel easier to manage.

So if you do find yourself feeling bored, stuck or frustrated by your workouts, Kara's advice is simple:

"Remember why you started. Don't be afraid to go outside the box and try something new."

She said motivation naturally comes and goes. You don't have to wake up every day fired up about your workout — it's actually consistency that drives results.

And if you're struggling to reframe your evening gym visit from "What a hassle" to "Yay, I get to work out!", Kara has a pretty beautiful reminder for all of us...

"Remember that movement is a privilege, not a punishment."

Ready to be challenged? Head to Fernwood Fitness to get started.

Offers and classes may vary per membership and club.

Feature Image: Getty.

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Fernwood Fitness is an award-winning premium, women-only gym with an unmatched level of service and product offering. We focus on strong women, real results, and fitness services tailored to you and your goals. A Fernwood membership offers you access to a supportive community, exclusive benefits, and a commitment to empowering women.