8 Things that Can Make Your Workout Feel Less Effective So you’re in the gym breaking a sweat and actually having fun, but when it’s all said and done, you’re not satisfied with your workouts and don’t feel like your routines are effective. From breathing techniques to posture, there are several things that can impact your workout, no matter the length or intensity. Here are eight fitness tips to ensure that your workout is a success. 1. Shoes - Your footwear can make all the difference in how comfortable you are during your workouts, which can increase your endurance and performance. Wearing shoes that are too tight or too big may cause foot pain during and after your workout and lead to injury. Whether you walk, run, or play tennis or basketball, select shoes based on the fitness activity you engage in. This will ensure that your feet get the adequate amount of support to have an effective workout. 2. Proper form - Using the proper form not only decreases the risk of injury but it also improves the quality of your training, which is key to seeing long-term results. Using the proper exercise form helps maximize the intensity of the workout. For example, doing one squat in the proper form (place your feet shoulder-width apart, refrain from extending your knees over your toes and keep your back straight) is always better than doing 10 squats the wrong way. 3. Heart Rate - Though you may be dripping sweat and out of breath, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your heart rate is in its fat-burning zone, which means you may not be burning as many calories as you think. Consider using a heart rate monitor during your workout so that you know the accurate number of heart beats per minute and learn to work within your target zone to burn fat or improve endurance. 4. A Loyal Friend - Though it may not be the friend you are excited to see every month, your menstrual cycle can play a role in how you perform during your workout. If you’re feeling bloated, tired, crabby, or experiencing the dreaded cramps, you may have a hard time finding motivation to exercise. Remember that exercise can reduce PMS symptoms, so instead of ditching your workout during that time of the month, opt for a lighter routine, such as yoga or walking for 30 minutes. 5. Amount of Rest - If you’re a night owl who likes to stay up into the wee hours of the morning, it may be difficult to hit the gym at the crack of dawn. Exercising when your body is not well-rested can make your workouts drag because you won’t have the stamina to perform at your fullest potential. Getting the recommended amount of sleep will help maintain your energy while you exercise. Sleep allows your body to properly repair muscle fiber in order to tone your body and allow more efficient workouts. If you don’t rest, you wont see progress and you will leave yourself open to injury. 6. Breathing - Do you pay attention to how you breathe while you exercise? Breathing correctly during exercise is essential to ensure that your muscles are receiving oxygen to sustain them during the workout, and it can help you maintain a normal heart rate. Holding your breath for extended periods of time is unsafe and can be harmful. When weight lifting, exhale when you exert the most amount of energy. For example, when doing a bicep curl, exhale when lifting the weight and inhale slowly while returning the weight to the starting position. 7. Engaging Your Core - Keeping your core engaged while doing cardio or weight training will not only help you develop strong abs, but it also supports your back, which gives you good posture and form. Holding your abdominal muscles in while working out may take practice, but learning to tighten these muscles during every exercise will help strengthen your core, which plays a vital role in both upper- and lower-body exercises. 8. Your Attitude - Let’s face it, you may come across days when exercising is the last thing you want to do. Plan to go hard no matter how you feel before your workout. If you dwell on I don’t want to be here during your entire workout, chances are you won’t feel like youve accomplished much post-workout. Your attitude is essential to enjoying the workout, and if you’re having fun, then you’re more likely to stick with it. At Fit4You, we pride ourselves on offering the most comprehensive and up-to-date fitness, nutrition, personal training programs, and great classes for our members and clients. Call us today to find out how we can help you meet your Fitness and Nutrition goals!
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:42:32 +0000
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