If you can manage to set aside the time you need in the gym, treat it like the precious commodity it is. Don’t waste your time with these top 7 items most people get trapped doing.
1 – Don’t work out too much! Sounds contradictory? It’s not. I know of people who spend 90 minutes on cardio, then another hour on weights and who knows how much time researching the latest supplements. You’re body can only benefit from a certain amount of exercise. Go over that amount and it’s all wasted.
2. Resting to long- If your goal is to lose unwanted body fat and stay lean, you should keep your rest between sets and exercises to a minimum. Thirty to sixty seconds is all you need. This isn’t time to talk with your friends. Set up time after your workout if you schedule can accommodate it.
3. Going without a plan of attack- Have your routine ready before you set foot in the gym. Going without a plan of action is like building a house without blueprints. In the beginning of your new life in the gym, you’ll probably have to check your workout plan a few time while you’re there. That’s ok!
4. Not having a backup plan- There is nothing more frustrating then going to the gym with your plan in hand and someone is already using the machine! Having a backup plan ensures you spend more of your time in the gym exercising and less time feeling frustrated. If someone is using the chest machine, no big deal: Do push-ups instead.
5. Not working hard enough- Intensity is one of the biggest factors to achieving results. If you are training in the 12-15 rep range, it should be a challenge to do 14 or 15 reps. If you can do close to 20 reps then you need to increase your weight. As you improve, never allow yourself to get to the point where you’re doing more than 14 reps of each exercise.
6 – No “cheat reps”. If you’re like me, you’ve had a few cheat reps when you’re starting to run out of steam. It happens and you don’t want to beat yourself up over it. But, you do need to realize it’s not helping you. You’re almost better off just not doing those reps. Fewer reps with perfect form is always better than more reps dong incorrectly.
7) Get some help from someone who knows what they’re doing. There aren’t many golfers better than Tiger Woods, but, he still has a coach. A coach isn’t someone who knows more than you, it’s someone who can observe and motivate you from outside of yourself. They can see things you’re doing wrong. They can motivated you when you don’t have it in you. Seek out a professional even if it’s just for a periodic check-up for yourself. It will pay huge dividends.
I’m sure you didn’t relate to all seven items. You may only relate to one of them. If that’s the case, fix that one time and gain back some time for other areas in your life. If you could relate to them, focus on a few at a time and lean out your gym time while you lean out your body.
Tags: diet, exercise, fitness, gym, health, nutrition, scheduling, time management, Training, workout