Are you zoning out through your workouts? Just marking time on the treadmill and checking the box? Or are you giving it your all and looking for a change?
Below are 10 suggestions to make your next workout the best.
Switch Cardio and Strength Training. If you always do cardio first, switch it up and do weights first followed by your cardio. You’ll be surprised how switching this up every once in a while will change how your muscles perform.
Stay Hydrated. Water, water everywhere. Stay hydrated through your entire workout. Start drinking before you are thirsty.
Get Unbalanced. Challenge yourself by adding stabilizing efforts to your workout. Bicep curls? Try standing on the soft side of the bosu, on one leg. Squats? On the soft side up of the bosu.
Change Your Tune. People who listen to their favorite music while working out can complete on average one to two more reps. Create a playlist for different parts of your workout and add new songs. Keep singing on the downhills!
Get a Partner. Workout with a friend, run in a group, make arrangements to hit the spin bike with a friend. Having a partner keeps you accountable and keeps the motivation up.
Core it Up. Do you save abs and core work for last? How about peppering them in during the workout? Shoulders and then plank on the ball. Lunges and then reverse curls with a medicine ball between your feet. Get more core work in over the course of your workout.
Go to the End. Find the end of range motion on your movement. Give a little extra reach and hold.
Change Sets and Reps. Change up your sets and reps. If you normally do 3 sets of 12, try making your three sets with reps 15, 12, 10 increasing the weight or resistance on each one and then followed by the orginal weight for 5.
Mind to Muscle. Think about and focus on the muscle you’re working. Research shows when you think about the muscle being worked you will have more overall muscle activity.
Go Pro. If you tend to workout alone, find a class or use a certified personal trainer from time to time. If you’re a runner, visit a run coach to check your stride. Visiting a pro can help you refine your movements, improve and stay up on the latest tips and research.
