I never thought much of workout plans—until they completely transformed my fitness.

I had plenty of motivation but little structure. Eventually, that approach stopped working in my training. Today, I feel stronger, more balanced, and significantly fitter than before. The key difference was a training plan, which I had rejected for years.

When I first signed up at the gym a few years ago, I just did whatever I felt like: trying out different machines, “recovering” on the vibration plate, training without structure or strategy. I was blissfully unaware of split training and likely had terrible form. Yet, results came anyway–a typical beginner’s effect. For a long time, I was convinced that a training plan was simply unnecessary. That changed when I painfully realized how wrong I was.

From the Gym to the Living Room

When the pandemic forced gyms to close, I had to move my workouts home. I tried YouTube workouts, danced through Zumba videos, and did about a million jumping jacks. But I missed the gym’s energy and the progress. My motivation dwindled, and I found myself on the couch more than on the exercise mat.

Also interesting: Home workout with boxing world champion Christina Hammer

Back at the Gym–Old Mistakes Included

A few years later, dissatisfied with my pandemic body, I gave the gym another shot. It was like the first time: My training was a series of random decisions–sometimes chest press with ten kilograms, sometimes a bit more or less. I wasn’t sure myself. Two sets here, three there, depending on how tired I was from work. The result: Initial progress stalled as quickly as it started.

Diet Obsession Instead of a Training Plan

I did this for half a year–and no, nothing changed. So, I looked for solutions elsewhere. I started meticulously watching my diet, tracking calories, and banning all sweet things that make life enjoyable. I forced myself to the gym and suddenly hated it. It was too crowded, the music too loud, and the exercises seemed pointless.

The Advice to Get a Training Plan

Meanwhile, my friend kept advising me to create a training plan. I ignored it because I didn’t believe it was the solution and was simply too lazy to deal with it.

I half-heartedly tried a sort of split training but documented nothing and continued doing what I thought was right. Although I reached my desired weight through a calorie deficit, I didn’t feel athletic or fit.

My partner repeatedly told me to create a plan with exercises targeting the muscle groups I wanted to train. This plan should include three days a week, with five to six exercises each day, focusing on different areas. Each week, I should increase my performance through “progressive overload.”

Also interesting: A mistake that sabotages the best training plan

The Turning Point: Overcoming Self-Doubt

Eventually, my dissatisfaction extended beyond my body and into my daily life. So, I started seriously engaging with training: which exercises are beneficial and how often to train for progress. I set goals, created a plan, and noted weights and improvements. Not perfect, but structured.

With a Plan to the Gym: Structure Replaces Chaos

With my completed concept, I set off–still skeptical but determined. I stuck to it consistently, noted everything, and increased my weights weekly. After just three weeks, I noticed my motivation slowly returning. I no longer wandered aimlessly but worked through my exercises systematically. Even though you could hardly see any changes after three weeks, the effect on my psyche and mentality was priceless. Finally, I felt like I was making progress and achieving something.

The First Visible Results

After about six weeks, I noticed the first physical changes. My skin felt firmer, and I saw a tiny hint of bicep muscles that had only existed in my wildest dreams before.

A few months later, I stood in front of the mirror again: My legs were more defined, my stomach flatter. I not only saw changes in my body but also noticed how my perception of myself slowly changed–driven by routine, structure, and the feeling of sticking with it.

Why a Training Plan Changed Everything

I attribute this success solely to the training plan–not because it was magical, but because it gave me direction. I realized that a structured approach is essential to achieving goals–both in sports and other areas of life. The plan not only helped me build muscle and bring structure to my training but also restored my self-confidence.

In the end, I wondered why it was so hard for me to accept this advice earlier. Perhaps because it means admitting that you were wrong before. And maybe also because change is exhausting. But this experience also taught me: Stagnation and dissatisfaction are more painful in the long run.

The post I never thought much of workout plans—until they completely transformed my fitness. appeared first on FITBOOK.