How To Get More Out Of Your Fitness Routine

Everyone's fitness routine is going to be slightly different. That's the beauty of a good workout; it can be whatever you want and need it to be. Ensuring that it matches your fitness level and that you can feel the effects – and possibly see them too – is what matters. 

However, even with the perfect fitness routine in place, you might want to learn how you can get more out of your workout. 

Read on to find out more about what you can do to ensure you really do get the most out of your fitness routine. 

Stay committed by adding variety. 

Have you ever been really excited and motivated with your new workout plans only to have that feeling fizzle out over time? 

Perhaps you find that you lack motivation, or you would simply prefer to do something else. Maybe the weather's terrible, so you decide to skip your run, or perhaps you tell yourself that one day off won't hurt. The problem is unless you are entirely committed to your fitness routine, you likely won't stick with it.

Staying committed to your workout routine is easier when you add a bit of variety. Repeating the same exercise routine over and over is not only dull but not effective over time. 

Your mind and body need variety.

Try something new.

Maybe a new running path, a new fitness class, exploring new video workouts, and exercising with another person. This could be a friend or loved one, a gym buddy, or even a personal trainer from Fitness 19. 

To get the most out of your workout routine, it should be well-rounded with a good balance of cardio, strength, stretching, and rest days. Suppose you are only doing one type of workout. In that case, it will become ineffective over time because your body and muscles will adapt to it. 

If you are only running/walking, add some strength workout every week or so. Strength workouts do not mean you have to get a gym membership. You can get an excellent full-body strength workout from the comfort of your own home.

The Brrrn board is a sliding board workout with an instructional video library with great body strength workouts.

Another way to get an unconventional and fun core and bodyweight workout are to try an Omniball workout! 

Sometimes even as simple as switching up your playlist can help you stay active and committed to your workout routine! 

Warmup

Warming up before you exercise should already be a part of your fitness routine. Warmups can help to prevent injury and reduce how sore your muscles feel the next day.  

Adding a 5-minute warmup will limit your chances of injury and help the body deliver oxygen to the muscle groups that are being exercised. 

It also increases your body temperature, which also reduces the chance of muscle and tendon injuries. 

Warmup routines don't have to take up a ton of time. A few simple stretches and a low-impact jog can go a long way!

Drink Water 

Staying hydrated while you workout is essential to a healthy exercise. Staying hydrated helps your body maintain blood pressure. At the same time, you exercise so that your heart does not have to work harder to maintain normal blood pressure. 

Hydration also helps improve blood flow and circulation. Both of these help your body effectively deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.

The best way to hydrate before you workout is to drink water. If you are exercising for an extended period, you should consider a drink or supplement with electro lights. You can take sodium capsules such as BodyBio or add a drink mix to your water like Everly hydration mixes. 

Arriving at the gym dehydrated will put you at a disadvantage. It could prevent you from performing at the level at which you can perform. Making it a habit to drink enough water each day will help you get more out of your fitness routine. 

Staying hydrated before, during, and after your workout will boost your body's ability to recover once you are done. 

A healthy post-workout routine

Even the best workout can be improved with a healthy post-workout routine.

Stretching your muscles AFTER your workout can have both physiological and psychological benefits.

Hydration and nutrition are both vital after any activity. Be sure to read "The Ultimate Post-Workout Routine For A Healthy Recovery" to learn more! 

‍