When it comes to working out, you need to make sure you push yourself to the best of your ability. Is there anything more satisfying than leaving the gym and knowing you’ve smashed your workout?
But if you’re not getting that post-gym satisfaction, is there more you could be doing? When you’ve got a busy life, work, and kids, you need to make sure every second in the gym counts.
Want to get the most from your gym session? Take a look at the following tips.
Give Yourself a Time Limit
Going to the gym without a plan is like going to the grocery store without a list. It leaves you wandering around aimlessly, wasting time figuring out what you’re going to do next. By learning to plan the perfect workout, you can make the most of your time. It will also help you target different areas of your body for a balanced workout routine.
Whether it’s half an hour or an hour, or more – be sure to put the time you have in the gym to good use. You can easily jot down your workout on your phone to help you work through your plan and get the most from your workout each time. Need help in this area? That’s what I do! Contact me and let’s get a plan tailored specifically for you!
Start Lifting
Many women are afraid to lift weights, out of fear they’ll look ‘bulky’. However, weights and strength training will help you burn fat and tone your muscles, helping you get more from your time working out. You can build yourself up to using heavier weights, and provided you train effectively, you’ll be toned and strong, not big and bulky. There are all kinds of weight moves that will help you get to where you want to be, and if you’re ever unsure if what you’re doing is right – ask someone! Most people will be glad to help you out!
One thing that will help boost your confidence with weights is to work on your technique. Add a grip strength routine and exercise in front of a mirror or friend to make sure your posture is always correct to help you prevent injury.
Listen to Music
Listening to music can liven up your gym session, but it can also push you to work harder. Creating the ultimate workout playlist will help you choose music to suit your warm-up, peak workout, etc. – much like in a class. Add some of your favorites and look for songs with a high BPM to get your heart rate going and really push that next work out.
Don’t Skip the Warm-up
It’s easy to forget about your warm-up in favor of the ‘real’ exercise, but doing that will only put you at risk of injury. An effective warm-up will help you wake up your muscles and make sure you’re limber enough for your upcoming movements. Use strength-based movements to target the muscles you’ll be using – you can follow up with a burst of cardio to really get your blood pumping.
HIIT it Up
Short on time but want to enjoy an effective workout? Give HIIT a try. Standing for High-Intensity Interval Training, HIIT encourages you to push yourself for short bursts with little rest, but huge results. HIIT training could help you improve both your cardio health and your strength for overall fat loss and toning. Taking around 20-25 minutes, you’ll soon see how effective a HIIT can be once you get started.
Eat Right
Going to the gym is a great way to get healthy, and even lose some weight. But without the right nutrition, your efforts could be for nothing! Learning about exercise and nutrition will help you to understand what’s needed for a healthy diet that supports your workouts. In fact, tailoring a meal plan to help keep you energized while losing weight is essential – and why I’m here! Set up a call and let’s do it!
For a start, don’t think you have to drop the carbs. Carbs will provide you with the energy you need to keep going during your workout – this is why runners gorge on pasta the night before a big run! (Not that I’m recommending that!) You’ll also need to make sure you eat plenty of protein to help your muscles grow stronger, and avoid processed or artificial foods.
Going to the gym is a great way to lose weight or get fit, especially if you prefer equipment-based workouts. Making the most of your sessions will help you see the results you want, and making sure you’re not wasting your time. There are plenty of things you can do to find that fitness motivation, so start giving yourself the push you need to become stronger and make some positive choices for your health.
