Maximizing Your Workout time
We all have our busy schedules, so getting to the gym can be an accomplishment in itself; but, using that time properly is the key. If you can give 2 hour of day for your workout, make the most of those two hour. If you can only give one make, then make the most of that. Even if you have only give 30 minutes, get a great workout in those 30 minutes! Fitting in a productive work out in a limited amount of time can be a challenge.
Here are some tips on how I make my gym time work:
Plan your workouts ahead of time—instead of just thinking about what machines you want to use for a workout, think more about the muscles you want to work. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the gym when you get in there with no plan, can end up feeling quite lost, and leave without having an efficient workout. I mean, can you relate?It’s a bit difficult to get focused results when you don’t have a focused mindset going into your workout. So instead of just focusing on the fact that you want to go workout, think a bit further—what muscles are you going to work today? (My favorite answer to that question would be: glutes. ) Next, think about all the exercises that you can do to focus on that muscle. For example for my lower body days, I know I plan to work my quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves. Having that in mind, I’ll plan the exercises I will do to target the muscle or muscles that I’ll be focusing on.
Diversify the equipment that you’re incorporating for your workouts. Machines have the potential to be taken by other people or they can even be broken. You can lose precious workout time just waiting around for a machine to open up. So instead, see if there is an exercise using free weights, resistance cables, resistance bands or even body weight to sub for that movement.
You’d be surprised by how many muscle you can work with a time limit. Incorporating compound exercises in your workout routine is an excellent way to target multiple body parts at once. Not only are compounds exercises great for targeting multiple muscles; they can help to other areas of fitness, such as movement coordination and dynamic flexibility.
Supersets and circuit workouts help to cut down on time lost on resting periods. Supersets are interval sets of an exercise between sets of a different exercise. Look at it as a 2 for 1 special where are you getting to knock out 2 exercises in the time it take you to complete one set. Doing supersets are great when you have a time constraint. Train exercises in a circuit circuit or intervals allow you to keep heart rate up and work up a good cardio sweat, helping to burn more calories in a given time.
My last tip is the probably the most important one, in my opinion. Do your best to minimize your distractions. Spending too much time on your phone between sets may have you resting more than you’re actually working. If you are going to get on Instagram, do it briefly to get some workout inspo and then get right back to work; don’t get sucked into a scrolling rabbit hole! Make sure your workout partner actually keeping you focused, not taking you out of the zone; and vice versa. I tend to keep conversations to a minimum during my workout time, and save them for when the workout is done.
Don’t just make it to the gym; make the most of the time you’re able to spend there. Spending a lot of time in the gym isn’t going to make a difference if that time isn't being used efficiently. Remember: whatever amount of time you can commit to the gym, make sure you make the most of it!