Whether you’re a die-hard gym fanatic or first-time-gym-goer, chances are, you’re not taking full advantage of your fitness routine. Want to make your next gym visit more effective and take your workout to the next level? Keep on reading!
It is a common misconception that in order to lose weight you must eat less. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Eating smaller, healthier meals throughout the day actually boosts metabolism and fuels your body regularly. Eating before a workout will increase your performance by giving your body the extra fuel to work your hardest. “Carb loading” is a great way to prepare your body for endurance exercises whereas high protein foods are perfect for building muscles. And of course, it’s always important to drink lots of water!
With the number of machines and equipment available at gyms, picking an exercise can be difficult. Create a game plan before your next workout to help stay on track and save time. When your workout is scheduled, it helps you meet goals and prevent aimless wandering around the gym.
Finding the motivation to complete a workout can sometimes be difficult. Begin your workout with an exercise you enjoy to get energized and in the right state of mind. Love to dance? Take a Zumba class to prepare you for weight lifting circuits. If you dread cardio, warm up with crunches and core exercises to get you ready for a burn-out cycling class!
We rarely find ourselves with hours to spend at the gym. Combine cardio with weight-training exercises to trim minutes from your workout! The increased intensity of combining exercises burns fat faster while simultaneously building muscle.
Working out with a partner is great for holding each other accountable, but when your workout turns into your daily gossip hour you become distracted, leading to a less effective workout. Instead of using your time with friends to swap stories, make your workout competitive by seeing who can burn the most calories or reach a mile marker the fastest.
Everyone is unique and working towards different results, so no matter how long it takes you or how often you go, staying fit will ultimately lead to a healthier and happier you!