We get it—busy lives and hectic schedules can make it hard to prioritize your workout. However, when you are able to commit time to a workout, it is important that you get all you can out of it. Here are our tips for taking your workout to the next level and getting the maximum return on your time investment.
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Eat slow-digesting carbs before workouts.
According to a recent article on muscleandfitness.com, researchers at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom discovered that eating slow-digesting carbs (i.e., whole grains, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, fruit, buckwheat, etc.) helped athletes burn more fat. Eating before a workout in general will produce a significantly higher fat-burning rate.
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Focus your mind on the muscle you’re training.
Focusing on the specific muscle you are training instead of thinking about other things has been proven to increase the muscle activity in that concentrated area. Any enhanced muscle activity is going to result in more muscle growth down the road.
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Have a plan.
This is a key ingredient in workout effectiveness. A personalized, planned gym routine can save time and energy. Treat it like a business appointment: coming in prepared can prevent aggravation and distraction.
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Work at a high intensity for a shorter time.
This is a good thing if you are busy and don’t have a lot of time to spend at the gym. Limit your workouts to 30 to 40 minutes. Spending a shorter amount of time working at a high intensity level will prove to be more effective than slacking off because you have been at it for too long.
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Slow it down.
When weight training, most people will contract their muscles slowly and do a quick release. Slow it down and give yourself at least a five-second count in each direction as this will maximize the move.
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Mix up your routine.
While it is important to go into your workout with a routine planned, this doesn’t mean that you need to follow the same routine every single workout for an extended period of time. Your body will get used to the stress level if you don’t mix up your routine every couple of weeks.
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Don’t sacrifice form for heavier weight.
We definitely encourage you to push yourself and realize that using heavier weights are for both toning and building muscle, but form is still a top priority. Having good form is the number one factor that determines whether your workout will yield results. As you challenge yourself, make sure you are not sacrificing form, even if this means giving yourself more time and waiting until you are ready to increase your weights.
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Utilize the right equipment.
Another way to ensure your workouts are time efficient and effective is utilizing top quality equipment. There is nothing more frustrating than not having the equipment you need or having equipment that can’t stand the test of a high-intensity workout. Your dedication to fitness shouldn’t be hindered by not having the appropriate equipment.
At Legend Fitness, you will find the best quality in free weight equipment for your personal or professional gym. We never want to see your valuable time wasted because you didn’t have the best equipment out there. If you are interested in taking fitness to a legendary level, contact us today.
