How to Slay Every Workout Session
To get the most benefits of every exercise, one must be slayin’ when doing it. And I’m not just talking about maintaining the proper form and exerting a lot of effort. I’m also talking about effective workout time management, proper nutrition, and readily available exercises to prevent idling due to occupied gym equipment.
Enough with intro talk, it’s time to learn about workout slaying techniques!
1. Rethink discomfort
Most people take discomfort and pain as a sign of weakness. It is not. It is your body’s way of telling you it’s undergoing transformation and gaining strength. The next time you workout, don’t be scared at the feeling of discomfort.
Instead, be excited by pain as it is a sign of incoming improvement.
2. Warm-up on the way to the gym
Don’t drive or commute to the gym. You might find most of the equipment there at use when you arrive. Use smart fitness strategies like cycling, jogging, or walking to the gym. You’ll save time as you’ll no longer need to wait in line for the treadmill and stationary bikes.
If you need to commute because you don’t have a bike and your home is far, you can get off the bus early and then walk or jog to the gym.
3. Make a game plan
Don’t limit your fitness routine to 5-10 workouts. Keep a library of exercises that you can do without the use of equipment. The point here is not to waste precious seconds idling as you wait for the equipment to be available for you.
Good examples of maintaining activity as you wait are jogging in place, planks, and step-ups.
4. Control your resting periods
Whether you’re alone exercising or at the gym, you can’t help it but rest for a few minutes just to catch your breath. These long resting periods are some of the reasons that reduce workout effectiveness.
A duration of 30-45 seconds is best for resting after you’re done with your sets before moving to the next workout. And when you’re resting, do it actively. Examples of good active resting activities are core exercises or just by simply walking around.
Aim to keep your heart rate up. The key to an effective workout is to have your heart beat fast even if you’re at rest.
5. Choose multi-joint exercises
Squats, lunges, and presses are good multi-joint workouts. These workouts require you to spend more energy and burn more calories. Adding to that, you get to work on multiple muscles in your body without taking too much time in your schedule! But be careful, don’t do multi-joint without proper preparation and protection.
6. Maintain the right form for every workout
Proper form during an exercise makes sure all your energy goes to the extra push rather than wasted movements. Maintaining the right workout form is hard and will require more effort to pull off. But, the more struggle you experience, the better the results are.
The right workout form is also an important factor, especially for muscle toning. The more proper your form is, the more accurate your muscle gains and cuts are.
7. Prioritize water, carbs, and protein
Our bodies slowly absorb water once we drink it. The process actually takes a few hours. You can’t just drink water and immediately be hydrated. Make sure to drink a lot of water at any time during the day to stay properly hydrated and cool while exercising.
Carbs are our main source of fuel, especially for intense workouts. If you eat a few carbs, you’ll either tire out easily and won’t be able to finish your exercises. But keep in mind, eat the “healthy” carbs in direct proportion to the demand of your physical activities.
Eat a lot of protein-rich pre-workout snacks to give your muscles amino acids and the building blocks they need. This way, it will take a long time for you to experience distracting discomfort. You’ll also minimize muscle soreness the next day. After your exercise, eat a protein-rich post-workout meal to stimulate muscle growth or cutting.
Don’t allow discomfort to distract you from slaying your workout. Eat a lot of protein before and after you hit the gym. If you have the opportunity to warm up before your exercise, grab it. Brisk walk to the park before you run and don’t go beyond 45 seconds when resting between sets.