Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or new to the workout scene, it’s no secret that physical fitness requires a great deal of dedication and effort. It’s important to remember that no matter who you are, no workout is ever the same. Some days you’ll feel like like the incredible hulk while others you’ll feel weak and tiresome. So how do you set yourself up for success? Once you make the first step of getting into a gym, it’s important to follow these simple steps to make sure you’re optimizing your workout.
Warm Up, Warm Up, Warm Up!
We can’t stress this enough. Even on days when you only have 15 minutes to work out, it’s still important to realize the value of a good warm-up. Jumping straight into a workout too quickly may cause injury and set you back weeks before you even begin. Start with stretching and get moving a little bit until you’re body feels relaxed and adjusted.
You Can’t Run on Fumes
You can’t have a good workout without something in your stomach. The NCAA recommends eating a small carbohydrate-rich snack within one to two hours before exercise. This way you’re body has something to help get you through the workout and something to use after to help build your muscles.
Also while you’re working out it’s important to stay properly hydrated. Don’t do a workout and then at the end drink a glass of water. You’re body will constantly need water as you sweat it out. A bottle of White Water with electrolytes will help you if your workout is longer than an hour.
Visualize Your Workout
Prepping your mental game is just as important as warming up before a workout. There will be many days when you talk yourself out of a workout or “going easy” today. Think about your fitness goals as you get to the gym and while hitting the weights or cardio machines. This will help trick your mind at generating that last bit of motivation to reach your goals.
Know Your End Goal
It’s important to visualize, but what is your end goal for fitness? Do you want to lose weight? Improve your health? Run a marathon or become a bodybuilder? Whatever the reason, you need to internalize it. It doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but in order to advance you have to have some kind of motivation to get there.
Break It Down
Even the best athletes can feel overwhelmed when facing their workouts. When it gets tough, it’s important to break it down. Whether you’re running, lifting or doing yoga, divide your workouts into small sections – by miles, minutes or sets. Focus on conjuring the smaller sections so you have small goals to hit because an hour long cycle can seem like too much.
Now that you got some knowledge, it’s time to get out there and get moving. Always remember to bring enough fluids with you no matter where your workout takes you. We can help. Try our water delivery today!