Are You Getting The Most Out Of The Gym?

Are you a fitness fanatic? Or have you started 2017 with the aim of getting in shape? Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced gym-goer, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re getting the most out of the gym. If you tend to follow the same routine, and you restrict yourself to the same machines every time, it’s time to branch out, and see how much more you could you achieve if you’re open to trying new things. Here are some tips to ensure you’re getting more for your membership fee.

Varying your workouts

Do you go to a gym for fitness workout sessions, but follow the same regime every time? Do you spend all your time on the treadmill or the elliptical trainer? Or are you a sucker for the weights zone? If your sessions are similar each time, you’re likely to lose motivation and find exercise boring. There’s also a chance that you’re missing out on working all your major muscle groups. If you’re open to trying new things, such as combining cardio with weights, you’ll get a lot more out of your session, and you should find training more interesting and rewarding.

If your gym offers classes, it’s also a great idea to give some a whirl. You’ll be working different muscle groups, you can learn new skills, and you may find them really enjoyable, especially if you like working out with friends or gym buddies. It’s also good to enjoy a change of scenery from time to time. Try spinning, boxing or street dance if you’re looking for something high-tempo or hot yoga or Pilates if toning is your main aim or you need to de-stress after a bad day at the office. For the best boxing workouts and equipment, check out see this related post. 

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Lifting weights

There’s an assumption that lifting weights will turn you into a bodybuilder, but this simply isn’t true. Weights sessions can be tailored to your size and strength, and you can lift to tone up and increase definition rather than building muscle mass. Lots of people want to be toned without being bulky, and you can achieve this. If you lift light weights, you’ll increase your strength, but you’ll also become leaner, as your metabolism will be accelerated and you will burn fat faster.

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Personal training sessions

Some people are naturally very focused and driven, and they’re capable of pushing themselves to the limit every time. However, many of us are happy to work hard without going to the next level. If you work with a personal trainer, they will motivate and encourage you to push harder, and they can also use their expertise and experience to tailor your workouts to help you achieve your training goals. Perhaps you want to build muscle mass as quickly as possible, or you’re desperate to target love handles or streamline your abs.

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You may be going to the gym five times a week, but are you getting the most out of your sessions? If you’re repeating the same drills or using only a fraction of the gym, you could be getting much more out of your time. Switching things up will boost your motivation and give you a better full-body workout. If you lack enthusiasm, and you struggle to reach the dizzy heights, try working with a trainer or alternating classes with gym sessions.