You don’t just want to work out; you have to work out efficiently. Maybe you’re in a rush to meet your fitness goals because your wedding is just around the corner. Or perhaps you want to look good for your class reunion.
Whatever your reason, you have to improve the outcomes of your workout to get results you can see in the mirror. You know you want to get on the treadmill for longer and lift heavier weights. But what does it take to have a better and more effective workout?
The key to having an improved workout is avoiding the common workout mistakes and adopting the right attitude. The following is a detailed guide on helping you attain just that:
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Exercise Moderately
Less is more when it comes to exercise. If you’re aiming to lose weight, devoting thirty minutes of exercise a day is enough to do the trick. Conversely, people who exercise for 60 minutes or more were found to lose less weight and have less effective workouts. The reason?
There is a psychological factor called “ego depletion,” wherein people reward themselves with too much food after working so hard at the gym. This scenario can result in overeating and excessive drinking. The takeaway? Exercise moderately. Keep it cool and stick to your diet and workout routine.
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Do Compound Exercises
Some people find that exercising isolated muscles is the way to go. However, the reality of the physical world requires exercising two or more joints. Think running, basketball, and soccer. These activities use a variety of muscles at the same time.
When you work out, focus on a compound exercise that lets you utilize two or more joints—such as deadlifts, lunges, or even rowing. These exercises not only work out several muscles, but they also give you a cardio challenge.
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Invest in Good Footwear
If you’re going to commit to a workout routine, your lower extremities tend to take the brunt of the work. Imagine running on a treadmill, dancing, and lifting weights. Your joints and your feet are bound to suffer.
Many people injure themselves by not properly taking care of their joints. Swollen feet and hurt joints take the fun out of any workout activity. As a precaution, you should invest in quality footwear.
Don’t squeeze your feet in footwear that’s too tight, nor too large. Moreover, you need to wear the right shoes for your specific physical activity.
By wearing quality, well-fitting and best shoes can help you to keep your body in perfect condition. You’re also lessening the chances of getting fractures, torn ligaments, arthritis, and other physical conditions in the long run.
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Use Supplements the Right Way
Muscle building happens after a workout, when the body goes into recovery mode and repairs muscles. Your body needs raw materials to build new muscles, which comes from protein.
You need to ingest at least one gram of protein for every pound of target weight. This requirement is not entirely possible if you consume meat and fish alone. Pump supplement can come in handy in filling the gaps in your nutrition. Supplements help you get the necessary protein to build muscle.
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Consider What Motivates You
What’s your personality like? You can tailor your workout routine according to your personality, so you will feel more rewarded.
If you are the introverted type, a jog at 5 in the morning, when you’re all alone, will be an activity you will look forward to. Conversely, if you’re a people person, you may want to join a dance class that lets you interact with all sorts of people.
If you love music, it also pays to have a solid workout playlist when you exercise. Playing your music exclusively during workouts makes the workout more rewarding and special.
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Save the Best for Last
When you hit the gym, you should do the exercises you least like first. Upon hitting the gym, you still have high energy and focus to spend on those boring exercises. When it’s time to do the exercises you like, you’ll feel like you have properly warmed up your body.
What’s more, these more favorable exercises will feel like a reward for all your efforts. This method is like saving dessert for last.
Final Thoughts
Everyone who works out wants to do it efficiently. Fortunately, there are ways to do so, and all it takes is finding routines that work best for you.
Taking care of your body while working out means you will get the results you want in no time. By working out strategically, you can vastly improve the fun and effectiveness of your exercise routine.
