Have you been making a concentrated effort to workout more recently, but still aren’t seeing the results you were hoping for? If so, then it might be that you’re simply not making the most of your workouts. In other words, what you may need is not to workout more or spend more time at the gym, but to workout smarter. We’ve got some tips to help you make the most out of each workout session so you can begin seeing results in no time.

Never Forget to Warm Up/Cool Down

If you’re not taking the time to warm up your body before a workout and cool down after, you run a greater risk of injuring yourself and are less likely to see results. Your ideal warm up will vary depending on the specific type of workout you’re planning on doing. At the very least, however, you should be stretching and getting your heart rate up a bit before you dive into your workout.

Check Your Heart Rate During Cardio

If you’re focusing on cardio exercise (which is great for weight-loss and fat burn, by the way), then you’ll also want to make sure you’re keeping track of your heart rate throughout each workout. This way, you can make sure you stay “in the zone” in terms of not only burning calories, but shedding fat as well. Many fitness trackers these days come with built-in heart rate monitors, but more than likely, the cardio equipment at your gym has built-in monitors as well.

Fuel Your Body Appropriately

What you feed your body both before and after a workout can have a huge impact on your results. You should never embark on a workout on an empty stomach. Ideally, you should fuel your body with healthy carbs (such as those from fruits and whole grains) before your workout. After a workout, you can help your muscles heal by eating foods that are high in protein. And of course, make sure you’re keeping yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water both before and after your workouts.

Work With a Personal Trainer

Sometimes, you may not be seeing results because you’re simply not doing the best exercises for reaching your goals. This is where it can be helpful to get some insight and guidance from a professional, such as a personal trainer, who will be able to provide you with a customized workout plan. Plus, a personal trainer can also help to stay accountable and help you when it comes to developing a nutrition plan.

Lift Weights Slowly in Both Directions

When lifting weights to build muscle, you can make the most out of each rep by slowing it down. It’s generally better to do a few slower repetitions with heavy weight than it is to do a lot of repetitions quickly and with lighter weight. And make sure that you’re not only lifting weights slowly, but releasing them slowly as well. This way, your muscles are getting a workout on both ends of the lift.

Mix it Up From Time to Time

Finally, prevent your body from getting too accustomed to a certain workout by mixing things up regularly. Otherwise, you may stop seeing results over time. For example, if you usually run on the treadmill, you might consider mixing things up by taking a spin class, trying some Pilates, or even spending some time on the elliptical. These small changes can help give your body the boost it needs.

As you can see, there are many ways to get more out of your workouts. If you’re interested in working with a personal trainer for further guidance, contact us.