Working out is hard there is no doubt about that, so it's always nice when you can get more out of the same workout you are doing. Over the years I have come up with a few tips on getting the most out of your workouts. These tips will help to improve your workouts as well as keep you motivated.
1.Find yourself a workout partner
I have found that working out with a buddy can give you a boost of motivation that will help you to push out a few more reps, or a bit more weight. Having a partner is beneficial as well; as he/she can spot you when doing certain exercises, this will help you to be able to lift more weight as well. You should be very selective as to who you choose as, a buddy that does not take workout sessions seriously could end up making it a play session and could actually end up hurting your workout.
2. Proper Pre and Post Nutrition
This is a very important factor in getting the most out of your workouts. If your pre nutrition is poor then your body will not have the energy to effectively workout for the entirety of your workout session. Likewise after your workout, your muscles have been broken down and are in need of repair. For this reason they need energy and building materials (carbohydrates, protein). Research states there is a 45 min window after your workout to feed your muscles after which your muscles start to experience atrophy, which is the loss of muscle, as your body begins to use if for food.
3. The workout change up
This can really be the key to busting through your workout plateaus. It is recommended that you change the order and/or the intensity of your workouts about every 8-12 weeks so that your muscles do not get used to your current workout schedule. When your muscles get accustomed to your workouts they know what to expect and therefore do not feel the need to keep growing. You can accomplish this through doing more sets, more reps, more weight and or different exercises.
4. Listen to music
Listening to music during your workouts can really help to improve your mindset and provide you with the motivation you need to lift more and workout longer. Listening to music I have found also helps to block out all of the distractions around you helping you to focus only on the task at hand.
If you are finding that your workout results are lacking or that you have hit a plateau and can't seem to make anymore gains, go ahead and give these simple tips a try, it just may be the thing you need to ignite your workout and get back to getting the results you're looking for.
