Exercise is great for making us look and feel good, as well as keeping us physically active throughout our lives. Whether you’re a gym bunny or you’re just starting out on your fitness journey, improving your workout is always beneficial to get the most out of exercising.
So you may be wondering how you can improve your workout performance. In this blog post, you’ll find tips on getting the most out of your workout.
Improve your diet
One of my favourite sayings is ‘you can’t outrun a bad diet’. It’s so true. There’s a common misconception that those who exercise a lot can eat whatever they like as they’ll burn it off. Whilst they may burn it off, eating a diet full of junk is not good for you even if you are slim on the outside.
Not only could you be causing harm to your insides through poor diet, but not fuelling your body with the proper nutrition will cause your workouts to be less efficient too.
Go vegan
There are many athletes who swear their performance improved once they started to follow a nutritious plant based diet.
A plant based diet can reduce inflammation in the body and reduce oxidative stress. Both of these can aid in a faster post-workout recovery time.
Always take a rest day or two
Whilst you may be tempted to go to the gym to work out every single day, this can sometimes be counterproductive, especially if your aim is to build muscle. Your muscles need to sufficiently rest and recover in order to grow.
Eat the right foods post-workout
What you eat in the hours after your workout will aid your body’s post-workout recovery and will also set you up for your next workout. Make sure you choose a meal with protein and carbohydrate.
Whether you’re doing cardio or strength training, your muscles will need protein to recover so make sure you have a protein shake, snack or meal post-exercise.
Supplement with oxygen
One performance enhancing technique that sounds a little strange at first, but actually makes sense if you think about it is supplementing with fitness oxygen. This is also known as ‘oxygen loading’. It’s a safe and natural way to provide your body with extra energy immediately before working out or during the exercise.
Taking pure oxygen right before your workout will increase the percentage of oxygen in your blood. It will benefit your workout performance by reducing tiredness, delaying the production of lactic acid, give energy and drive. It can also improve concentration and wellbeing.
Lift weights
This is something I’ve only just started incorporating into my own exercise routine, but strength training is so important. Weight lifting will help to build muscle, increase metabolism and burn more body fat. You should include some strength training at least a couple of days a week in your gym workouts.
…and then lift heavier weights
It’s great when the weights you are lifting start to feel really easy and you could lift for ages without breaking a sweat, but that’s a sign that you need to lift a heavier weight to continue to see results. Try increasing the weight a little each week to keep it challenging and to help get faster results in the gym.
Workout harder
It’s easy to think that the longer we spend working out, the better, but by increasing your workout time you’ll be reducing your intensity. It can be better to reduce your workout time to 30-40 minutes maximum and increase the intensity for better results.
Of course, if you’re new to exercise then build it up gradually, but once you can last for 30-40 minutes then start to improve the intensity in this time.
Drink plenty of water
Don’t just drink water when exercising, but drink it for the entire day to stay hydrated and energised. You’ll perform better when you’re hydrated and you’ll also want to replace all the water you lose through sweat!
Get enough sleep
Our bodies produce their own muscle-building hormones as we sleep so it’s important to get plenty of sleep to aid muscle growth and recovery.
Luckily plenty of exercise also benefits our quality of sleep, so it’s a happy cycle!
Find the workouts you enjoy
You’re not going to give it your all and you’ll be more likely to quit if you don’t enjoy the exercise you do. Find the cardio and workouts you enjoy most so you’ll stick at it. Give it a few sessions though if you’re new to exercise, as you probably won’t enjoy anything to start with!
Stay motivated
You’ll get the most out of your workouts if you at least turn up and stay motivated to exercise! Many people start with good intentions, such as in the New Year or before a holiday, but soon give up. Take a look at my workout motivation tips to find something to motivate you.
Use the right workout equipment
Investing in the right workout equipment is essential to getting the most out of your exercise routine. By choosing the right equipment, you can improve your performance, reduce the risk of injury, and even make your workout more enjoyable.
For example, if you’re a tennis player, buying a reasonably good tennis racket will help you hit the ball with more accuracy and power. Similarly, choosing the right running shoes can help prevent injuries and make your running more comfortable. And if you’re into weightlifting, investing in a good set of dumbbells or a barbell will allow you to lift heavier weights and build more muscle.
It’s also important to consider the quality of the equipment you’re using. Low-quality equipment can be dangerous and may not provide the necessary support or resistance for an effective workout. While you don’t have to spend a fortune, investing in equipment that is durable and designed for your specific activity can make a big difference in the long run.
So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, take the time to research and invest in the right workout equipment. Your body will thank you for it.
Choose appropriate workout clothing
While you may not think much about what you wear to the gym, choosing the right workout clothing can actually have a significant impact on your performance.
For example, wearing running trainers if you like running can help to prevent injuries and make your run more comfortable. Similarly, wearing breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics can help keep you cool and dry during intense workouts.
It’s also important to consider the fit of your clothing. Wearing clothing that is too loose or too tight can be distracting and uncomfortable, while the right fit can help you move more freely and perform better.
Finally, choosing the right workout clothing can also help you feel more confident and motivated. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, you’re more likely to push yourself harder and enjoy your workout more.
So, the next time you’re getting ready to hit the gym, take the time to choose the right workout clothing. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.