5 Ways to Maximize Your Workouts

Your time is valuable so whether you’re squeezing in a quick at-home workout or planning a long sweat session at the gym, you should always try to make the most out of your workouts.

Often, there are only a few small changes we have to make to our workout plans to make them the most effective they can be. From eating nutritious foods to wearing the right workout clothes, here are a few tips on how to maximize your workouts in order to better help you reach your fitness goals.

Fuel your body

Before working out, always be sure to eat something light and nutritious. This will help stabilize your blood sugar and boost your energy levels. If you don’t eat before exercising it can cause your blood sugar levels to drop, making you feel lightheaded and sluggish. Not only can this jeopardize your workout goals, it can also trigger wear and tear on your body. Having a protein-packed snack before your workout can help rebuild muscle after a workout and boost your workout’s efficiency. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout your workout as well. Water helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you’re not hydrated, your body won’t be able to perform at its highest level. You may feel tired, dizzy, or have muscle cramps. Be sure to keep a water bottle handy as you exercise. Vacuum insulated water bottles from brands like Swell are great because they keep your water as cold as possible throughout your entire workout. This helps your body to use less energy to cool down and more energy on your actual workout.

Always warm up

Whether it’s stretching or doing some light cardio, be sure to start every workout by warming up. This will get your blood flowing and heart pumping and prevent your body from going into shock from jumping into an intense workout. It will also enhance muscle performance during your workout, reducing the likelihood of injury. Once you’re finished warming up and your body gets more comfortable, you can start to gradually build up your workout.

Wear comfortable clothing

As you prepare for your workout, be sure to wear clothing that is comfortable and durable. This will help you stay focused on your workout as you won’t be fussing over clothing that keeps falling down or doesn’t fit properly. Stick with brands that are known for their comfort and quality like Lululemon. While these big-name brands may be on the costly side, their sweat-resistant fabrics will keep you comfortable throughout your entire workout. If you don’t want to pay a fortune, you can shop affordable Lululemon activewear styles secondhand at online thrift stores such as thredUP. Then you could even treat yourself to that second pair of workout pants!

Pay attention to your form

While it may feel like getting in more reps will maximize your workout, it won’t be as effective if your form isn’t right. This is why it’s important to pay attention to your form as you exercise. If you notice your form slipping as you increase the heaviness of the weight, stick with your current weight and reps. Keep in mind that it’s much more important to maintain consistent form rather than increasing resistance prematurely. As you start to master perfect form with lighter weights, you can gradually start to build up to heavier weights to challenge yourself during workouts.

Switch it up

To prevent yourself from burning out, it’s important to choose a workout that both excites and challenges you. Don’t torture yourself with a workout that you never look forward to doing. Once you start to dread a particular exercise or machine, it’ll turn into a chore before you know it. If you find yourself cringing at the sight of a treadmill, try an elliptical instead. Or maybe a group fitness class could be what you need! Regardless, develop a schedule for each gym session that is a balance of both the workouts you enjoy and the ones you find a little more challenging in order to maximize your results. Keep these strategies in mind to maximize your workouts and weight and fat loss.

How do you maximize your workouts?

Guest author bio: Nora is a content creator passionate about living a healthy and sustainable life. When she’s not researching her next topic, she can be found preparing for her next race. //SHOP THIS POST//