Finally signing up for a gym membership is a big step on your quest to get in shape. But it is, alas, only the start. You’ll now need to go through the process of putting the time in the gym.
It’s important to remember that simply being at the gym won’t do you much good. Your results will depend on the effectiveness of your workouts. Two people could have gym memberships and get two very different results, all thanks to the quality of their gym efforts. So let’s make sure that you’re getting the most from your gym membership. In this handy post, we’ll look at some tried and tested tips that anyone can follow to smash their fitness goals.
Make It Part Of Your Routine
It’s in your best interests to go to the gym as frequently as you can. It’s much more effective to have a decent workout four times a week, rather than just working out intensely just once a week. Can you commit to going every second day? The trick here is to make it as easy as possible — pick the closest gym to your house, get out of the door before you change your mind, and just make it part of your routine. In a month, it’ll just be something that you do.
Go 20% Harder
There’s a temptation to keep things easy going in the gym. But you won’t see any progress if you’re lifting the same weights over and over again. You might begin your gym journey lifting 8kg weights, but after a week or two, you’ll want to step up to 10kg. Actually, a good rule of thumb is to always go twenty percent above your inclination. This will give you the increase in intensity that’s required for muscle gain/weight loss.
Think About Your Intake
People who are in seriously good shape always say that their results are 50% down to what they do in the gym, 50% down to what they eat. So it’s important to take another look at your diet to ensure that you’re giving your body what it needs to meet your fitness goals. For example, if you’re trying to build muscle, then it’s likely that you’ll need to increase your protein intake. Keep a box of the best tasting protein bars in your gym bag, and make sure to eat one within fifteen minutes of finishing your workout. If your goal is to lose weight, then you can maximize your results by eating fresh, healthy meals. The odd cheat day is OK, but as a general rule, you’ll be looking to eat good-for-you food.
Get Professional Help
You can’t be expected to automatically know the best way to reach your fitness goals. After all, your body is complicated! So it’s worthwhile recruiting the help of someone who does know what it takes to get in shape. Your gym will probably have an onsite personal trainer available for appointments, so look at scheduling one. They’ll ask you what you’re hoping to achieve, and then put together a detailed fitness plan. It’s much easier to get in shape when you’re doing effective exercises.
Put Together a Motivating Playlist
If you’re like most people, then you probably won’t enjoy being in the gym all that much. If you’re going to spend time there, then you’ll need to find ways to make it fun for yourself. One effective way to do this is to put together a motivating playlist of your favorite tracks. You’ll find that you’re more willing to push yourself to the limit when you have those songs you love blasting in your ear. You can also consider downloading a few engaging podcasts to listen to — they’re especially good when you’re on a treadmill or bike machine.
Prioritize Rest
Your body needs rest if you’re going to work out well. If you go into the gym tired and sluggish, then you’ll be less likely to push yourself — actually, you’ll probably call it a day after fifteen minutes. Invest in your sleeping routine, and you’ll be raring to go once you walk through the gym doors.
Stay Focused
Finally, remember to stay focused on the task at hand when you’re in the gym. You’re there to improve your body and improve your fitness, not to sit on your phone and scroll through Instagram. Really focus on what you’re doing, and you’ll push yourself that little bit further. And in the gym, even a small margin of improvement can lead to noticeable results.
