Hitting the gym isn’t all about lifting weights as hard and as fast as you can. It isn’t all about running 10km on a treadmill. It isn’t just about the order in which you do your circuit training. No. Getting the most out of each and every gym session requires so much more than that, and if you don’t give it the full treatment then you run the risk of wasting your energy, your time and, maybe even, doing your body more harm than good.
As such, we have come up with a few bits of advice to help you max out your next session, and every session:
Fuel
Just like an engine, your body needs fuel, and the better the fuel the better it will perform. As such, you should never skimp out on your pre-gym snack because, more often than not, it will be the key ingredient to you putting in a great performance. As a general rule, your best option is to have a mix of simple carbs and high-energy protein; something that will give you a huge boost of energy without slowing you down at all. And remember, keep yourself as hydrated as possible.
Burn
If you really want to maximize your workout and start smiling every time you and your mates are lifting shirts in the mirror, then you are going to need to maximize the way in which you burn calories. The most effective way to do this is by mixing up your sessions so that they include both high-intensity interval exercises and tough cardio routines. Another way to do this is to get the most out of each and every move by reassessing how you can do it so that you can multitask and thus use more muscles. That is the best way to get the most out of every gym session.
Trainer
One of the best ways to ensure you get the best out of your workout is to hire a personal trainer, someone that can focus on what you need, keep you focused throughout the session and teach you new routines to keep you from suffering from tedium. However, personal trainers can be seriously expensive. As such, why not split the cost with a friend – or two – and get the most out of a professional trainer for half the price.
Silence
The gym can all too often be a sociable place, but you should try and limit the chat because your hour in the gym should be used as an hour in the gym. As such, try and stay away from falling into the gossip chat trap. We don’t mean working out completely in silence but don’t spend 50% of your time catching up with your gym buddy. If you’re worried about how this may come off, then schedule a coffee outing for after your session. When you are at the gym, focus on being at the gym.
Short
There is no point in spending hours at the gym if you don’t have to. That’s why it can be so valuable to break your sessions down in time by increasing the intensity. Half an hour of high tempo training will do far more for your body than a slow session dragged out over 90 minutes.
