As a personal trainer in Orange County, with over 12 years of fitness experience, it's safe to say I have spent a lot of time in the gym. Often I take a moment to stop and look around me. There are people talking, standing around, sitting idle on machines, looking at themselves in the mirror - in short, doing nothing and wasting their time. These are the same people who get frustrated when their bodies don't respond to their workouts!

Our bodies are amazing at adapting. Running 3 miles might be difficult at first, but over time it becomes easier and easier. In fact, our bodies are so skilled at adapting, we need to change up our workouts every 3-6 weeks to prevent our bodies from becoming too accustomed to the movements, which inhibits our progress.

1. Give machines a break. Trying free weight versions are just as effective. For example, instead of doing lat pull downs, try chin ups.

2. Slow down your movements. Take out the momentum of a movement and see what happens. Start by using a three-second count for each direction of the movement. Hint: go lighter on weight than usual.

3. Reduce your rest time. Bring a stop watch and time yourself. Only allow 30-60 seconds between sets. Be strict with yourself and you will be amazed at how much harder your workout becomes.

4. Hit your muscles from a different angle. Changing up your grip and/or your stance while doing a movement even slightly can have a dramatically different effect. For example, if you normally do flat bench presses, try them on an incline bench with dumbbells. If you usually do wide grip pull-ups, try chin-ups. Mix it up!

5. Vary your resistance. There are so many different ways to provide your body with resistance. Barbells, dumbbells, cables, medicine balls, ropes, tires, sandbags. Get creative and try new things - your body will respond.

6. Get focused and set goals. Before you workout, reflect on your goals. Why are you working out? Why are you going to the gym? You should know the reasons - and it should make you emotional to think about them. I've found that there are many people at the gym simply because it is part of their daily routine - they don't have a real goal or reason to be there. Set your goals and develop a passion for them. Your workouts will never be the same.

7. Get a partner. My workouts are never the same when I'm alone. When I have someone there who understands my goals and pushes me to achieve them, I work out that much harder. Find a friend or group of friends who are excited about achieving their goals, or hire a personal trainer to help you realize your potential. Either way, having someone to help you stay focused is instrumental to your workout success.

8. Finally - allow yourself to recover properly. A good workout is important, but allowing your body time to adjust and enjoy the benefits of that workout is equally important. Eat right and utilize a variety of recovery techniques, such as massage, contrast showers, meditation, etc. They will allow you to reap the rewards of your hard work and prepare your body for the next workout.

I hope this info helps you take your workout to the next level. Just mix it up, push yourself, have fun and remember why you are there in the first place. Soon, the people at the gym will be asking you for advice!

Award winning trainer, business owner and athlete, Corey Beasley owns Innovative Results in Orange County, CA. They help 1000s of people reshape their bodies, lose weight, and live healthier lifestyles. For more amazing health information, visit their blog, it is packed with helpful tips andtricks Orange County Personal Trainers.