How to Have an Effective Workout Session

A good workout not only improves physical health, from toning muscle to improving circulation, digestion and general physical wellbeing, but also aids your mental health too.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and improve your general mood. Different people exercise for different reasons, from wanting to tone up and slim down, to simply keeping active as a hobby.

Whatever your reasons for taking to exercise, you need to make sure you have all the tools and information necessary to help you create an effective workout session, so that you can ensure you are getting the most out of your time and to be able to stay motivated during winter and the party season! Here are some tips to help you get started.

Focus your workouts

Many people make the common mistake of assuming that by trying out every machine in the gym or running the same track every day, they’ll be getting the full body workout that they need. However, the truth is, the best way to get what you want out of your work out, is to target your exercise to suit your set goals for different areas of your body.

For example, for general fat loss across the whole body, you are best off doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT), rather than just focusing on constant cardio workouts. For a gradual build-up of muscle, try doing low weight, high repetition weight training. Whatever it is you decide, have a clear plan of action for when you get to the gym, so that you don’t find yourself floundering once you get there.

Give your body what it needs

You can’t expect to get the best results out of your workout session if your body doesn’t have the fuel it needs to put in the hard work. The nutrients you need will depend on what you are trying to gain from your workout. For example, if you are looking to tone up, then cutting down on calories won’t help you build up the muscle. Instead try eating small amounts of food, in regular intervals, making sure to stock up on the protein. Alternatively, if you are wanting to lose fat, then try exercising in the morning before you eat, so that your body has to burn off existing fat stores for fuel, and then eat a sustaining breakfast after. If you find yourself struggling post-workout, you can also try revitalizing techniques, such as Reset IV. You need to eat and drink regularly, and if you’re trying to build muscle, then you may need to eat more food than you would if losing it.

Find methods to keep yourself motivated

You are more likely to exert yourself effectively during your workout session if you are motivated to do so. Constantly remind yourself of your goals, and also reward yourself when you reach important milestones, whether that be losing a certain amount of weight, or just being able to run for a mile continuously without needing to stop. Use tools such as music to keep you on track, and keep your mind occupied. Competitive sports are a particularly great way to exercise while also having the motivation to win to keep you giving one hundred percent at all times.