Most people have some form of workout routine. But how can you get the maximum benefit from it?
One of the most important aspects, which can often be overlooked, is hydration. Keeping the body hydrated is essential to being able to maintain a high level of performance. Making sure that you drink well throughout the day will affect your body later on, even if you drink throughout the workout. But make sure to drink plenty during and re-hydrate after the workout too.
In the same area, nutrition is a very important aspect. This is essentially the fuel for your muscles, and if you don’t provide enough nutrition, your body will suffer.
Recovery is also something to focus on. To avoid damage to any of your body’s systems, it is imperative that you allow your body time to repair, especially after an extensive workout. If you are also taking in extra protein, from a shake or from a dietary change, then you need to make sure that you body has time to break it down and put it to good use.
You also need to be comfortable during your workout. If you have lots going on or are worried about a task that needs to be completed, then do it. If not, it is likely that you will have a poor session, or will rush through to finish up. This can be dangerous for your body, and if you really aren’t concentrating then it can be dangerous to others as well, especially if you are meant to be spotting for someone.
Keep the workout fresh. If you have the same routine for every workout then you are punishing your body, and also your mind. It is likely that you will get bored and eventually give up as you will lose all motivation. It is a perfectly valid method to concentrate on one muscle group, but try to break it up, so Tuesday is Bicep day, this means you will have a good rest in between. But don’t be afraid to look for new workouts. There are many invaluable resources available on the internet that can provide professional. But always check the authority of the person offering the advice and maybe double check if you are unsure.
The final tip is an old favourite; warm up and warm down. This is something that should always be focused on. This will get your muscles and joints warm, ready for a good workout. Whilst the cooldown is just as important, as it will slow you down, lower the heart rate and get you back into rest mode. This will help you to avoid injury that you could get from jumping straight into a workout and the cooldown will aid the recovery period so you will hopefully be speeding up the process.
These are just a few tips, but if they are applied and followed on a regular basis, they can offer great rewards in both your mental and physical training, ultimately leading to better gains from your workouts.
I am a health and fitness writer, working for Health Clubs at Home. A company specialising in providing new and used home fitness equipment
Maxamising Your Gym Workouts
