The benefits of exercise are vast, but if you’re anything like me you want to receive any and every benefit that exercise can provide. It can be quite a time and energy investment to be physically active, so it’s important that you get as much as you can out of your effort. If you want to get the most out of your workouts there are a few key things that should be high on the priority list.
Tip 1: Plan
When you have a solid plan of action to reach your goals you are more likely to be successful. Hire an experienced coach or find a workout program. If you have a plan when you step into the gym your workouts will be more effective because you won’t waste time trying to figure out what to do next.
Tip 2: Fuel
We need energy to exercise and the fuel we put in our bodies on a daily basis is important. Be sure to include a variety of whole foods especially your green vegetables and limit how much processed food you eat. With a diet full of nutritious foods you will have more energy to perform in the gym. Another point to note is about pre-workout nutrition – everyone is different when it comes to what they need to eat and when so you may have to experiment.
Tip 3: Form
You will get the best bang for your buck when you perform exercises properly. Pay attention to your form and be sure to make the necessary adjustments. When your form is correct you are not only safer and preventing injury but you’ll be targeting the muscles groups more efficiently and effectively. Hire an experienced personal trainer or watch a few video clips online from a reputable source to ensure your form is correct.
Tip 4: Intensity
If you don’t break a sweat, feel a burn or your heart rate doesn’t increase, you might not be pushing yourself hard enough. It’s true that for some people exercise simply feels very uncomfortable but change doesn’t happen in our comfort zones. Be strategic as you go through your workout, in order to use your time efficiently. Push and challenge yourself each and every time you begin your workout or else you will never improve and your results will suffer.
Tip 5: Recovery
Allow your body and muscles time to recover and heal so you’re primed to give it your all in your next workout. Healthy, nutrient-dense nutrition plays a role in recovery but sleep and stretching are just as crucial. Set up a sleep schedule to improve sleeping habits so that you’re getting adequate amounts of rest. The body does its repair work while you sleep so don’t neglect this aspect of recovery. The other big key in recovery is stretching which is often over-looked. Take five to ten minutes after every workout session to really stretch out and elongate the muscles you just contracted. For releasing deeper muscle knots try using a foam roller – they are very inexpensive to purchase.
Implement these tips and you can be confident you’re getting the most out of your workouts.
By: Brittney Anderson
