Things getting stale? Bored with your routine? Maybe you’ve reached a plateau in your training? Maybe you’ve never trained before. Follow these 5 tips to help improve your workouts.
Use your down time
If you are working on a resistance workout, you probably have a lot of down time. Waiting for machines, weights, benches, resting between sets. Why not use that time to turbo charge your workout. Maybe drop your resistance down a little bit and perform a quick cardio exercise in-between sets. If you are doing 3 sets on the leg press machine, why not do 15 tuck jumps in-between each set. Waiting for a bench? Plank away my friend. Let someone know you are waiting for a piece of equipment, then use your time. You will get more out of your workout and feel better because of it!
Try new things
There is no doubt a class you always wondered about. Maybe you thought it would be fun to hit that heavy punch bag. Maybe there’s a piece of equipment in the gym you thought might be effective but didn’t know how to use it. Well just do it! Ask a member of staff at your gym to explain the class or equipment. They will be more than happy to do so.
Take it outside
Summer is just around the corner. Why not leave that treadmill and go for a run in the great outdoors. Go for a bike ride around the park. There are hundreds of ways to get exercise outside. Be adventurous. Just remember to use sun screen and take some water. You never know where the next drinking fountain will be.
Bring a friend
This serves multiple purposes.
- You get someone to workout with and push you harder
- You might be helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle
- You can alternate using equipment
- You can carpool
- You have someone to hold you accountable if you set a “gym date”
Eat right before and after
Having the right fuel for your workout is essential. Eat some complex carbs and protein around 2 hours before and maybe some fruit 30 – 45 minutes before starting. After you finish is very important, too. What you eat now goes towards how your body recovers. Immediately after, supply your body in this order:
- Water
- Simple carbs (fruit is perfect)
- Protein.
Later on eat a good, balanced meal with complex carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Try these awesome Lentil Burgers.
Try one of these tips to improve your workouts. It might help push you harder, make your fitness routine more enjoyable, and see better result. Why not try them all!
Hi Tom,
I really liked your idea to go outside for workout like running, and bicycle riding.
I’m sure not many people aware that before starting your workout you should eat something and after completing it. But you really explained it well.
Great tips you have here, Tom. It is surprising how many of us just let the burn out get the best out of us.
I have personally found out that training with friends does help to remove the burn out. I will also change the place where I train, say from the garage to the workshop, and this will always work like a charm.
Great Article Tom! Definitely, the best way to stick with any exercise routine is to mix it up. Personally, I love to workout in my basement our outside. It just depends on the weather.