If you want to lose weight and stay in shape, the best way to make this possible is giving it all at the gym. Of course, that is not going to be your only plan of action to achieve your goals. To be in the best possible shape, there are certain tips you will need to consider for quick and effective results.
Whether you are new or old to working out at the gym, here are 6 tips you must consider.
1. Don’t Ignore Warm-Ups
Enough emphasis cannot be placed on the fact you should pull off a few warm-up exercises before you get to the real deal. But then again, it would be even better if you do so early in the morning, to get your body ready for what is to come.
Obviously, you don’t want your body to get into shock from your workouts, so it is best that your warm-up exercises are digestible. At the same time, do not push yourself too hard, which will result in you being tired for the rest of the day.
The idea here is to keep your body active and to keep the edge off while you work out at the gym. Rest assured, this will increase calorie burn like never before. Planks, Super-man pushups not only warm-up your muscles but also add variety to your workouts.
2. Indulge in Weight Lifting
Most people fear lifting weights. But what they do not realize is that it can do wonders for them in the long run.
Agreed, weight lifting does not torch fat, but what it does is that builds muscle. The greater the muscle mass, the more calories you will burn while working out.
Apart from keeping your muscles in shape, they will look toned since they will eventually shed all the fat that is covering them up in the first place.
3. Target Specific Muscles
After working on your biceps, you may have felt a burning sensation. This basically is your body telling you that you can go no further since it is your anaerobic threshold. Simply put, you have worked that specific muscle all you can, and have burnt a lot of calories in the process.
To increase the number of calories burnt, work specific muscles to such an extent when you feel the burn. However, this does not mean you push yourself unnecessarily, as it can do more harm than good. Take it slow, and prepare your body accordingly, to prevent severe exhaustion.
4. Target Different Muscle Groups
When working out, don’t just stick to a certain muscle group. Focus on different muscle groups, for the best possible results. Also referred to as cross-training, you will sustain higher intensities for longer, which would not be the case if you work with a specific muscle group.
What this means is that once you are done with lunges, do overhead presses. This way you will give your legs enough time to recover, for you to work on them again.
5. Engage your Core
Most exercises involve your core but most people forget that they must be engaged.
You need to understand and realize that working on larger muscle groups, like your back and abs, is far more effective than working on smaller muscles, like your triceps and biceps. So if you want to burn more calories, make sure your core is engaged.
To up your fitness game, target your smaller and larger muscle groups simultaneously. To maximize results, involve movements with rotation, like plank twists. It is no different from wringing a towel. But in this case, you will squeeze fats out of your body for a narrower waistline.
6. Change your Workouts
If you keep doing the same workouts day in and day out, your body will eventually get used to it. As beneficial as it may seem, it is not a good thing.
You will be a pro at carrying out certain movements, but you will burn fewer calories. To prevent this from happening, you will need to try out familiar exercises in a different order. If you aren’t sure where to begin, try new workouts on equipment you already own. If that does not work, get a new fitness equipment to be incorporated into your routine. You can also invest in trendy workout gear including but lifters and waist trainers.
It is a good idea to try different things and only focus on ideas that work best for you. Additionally, pay close attention to your diet. You may have already seen this coming, but you can’t just eat anything and tell yourself that you will burn those calories by working out extra. Essentially, you will tire out and feel terrible, demotivating you from continuing with your work out.
Remember, eat right and do what is required. You will then be fit as a fiddle in no time.
Author Bio:
Judy Robinson is a passionate health and lifestyle blogger. She loves to write on healthy lifestyle, fitness 101 and DIY related topics. Follow @judyrobinson for more updates.