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How to make the most of the gym

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The more time you spend at the gym, the better your results will be. Here are some tips to make sure you get the most out of your gym membership and don't waste money.

How to make the most of the gym

How to hit the gym in style this summer and get your money’s worth!

A good fitness routine is important for your health and well-being. It can help you manage your weight, reduce stress, and improve your mood. But there are many ways to work out, so it can be hard to know what’s best for you.  If you’ve joined a gym then you might be wondering how to make the most of the gym to get your money's worth. Here are a few ideas.

Have a realistic fitness goal in mind

In order to get the most out of your time in the gym and get better results from your workouts, it is important to have a plan before you start. It is also important to have a realistic fitness goal in mind.

Some people might be able to work out for hours and hours on end without getting tired, but that is not true for everyone. One way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your time at the gym is by setting realistic goals.  If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a long time, then trying to run 10km on the treadmill on your first gym session won’t serve you well.  Firstly, you may need to build up the stamina to run so far and therefore if you can’t complete this distance you might feel like a failure and give up.  Secondly, it’s better to start off with shorter distance, having a day break inbetween each run, and gradually build up to 10km.  This will give your muscles time to recover and your body will learn to adapt to the run, otherwise you risk giving yourself a repetitive strain injury such as bursae of the kneecap if you push yourself too hard too quickly. 

Another way of making sure that you are not wasting time at the gym is by planning what exercises you will do beforehand and having a backup plan in case the machines you want to use are unavailable.  You should also decide what your aim is at the gym to maximise your workout results.  For example, if you are trying to lose weight, then it might be better for you to work on cardio and muscle endurance rather than strength training or lifting weights.

Here are some quickfire tips to help you with your fitness goal:

  • Keep a journal of your workouts and track your progress. This will help you identify what exercises to do and what areas need improvement.

  • Warm-up before working out, it increases blood flow and prevents injury.

  • Make sure that you're stretching before and after a workout, this will prevent muscle soreness and injury.

  • Do not overtrain yourself or try to work out too much in one day. Your body needs rest in order to recover from exercise.

  • Don't forget about cardio! It's important for heart health, helps with weight loss, improves blood pressure levels, reduces the risk of disease and much more.

personalised gym towel

Personalised gym towel

Choose the right gear

In order to get the most out of your workout, it is important that you have the right gear. The right clothing can even help you minimise the risk of injury whilst maximising your results.  It really can be the difference between a good and bad workout. The wrong clothes will make you feel uncomfortable and not motivated to work out, especially if they are not supportive in the places they need to be.  

This can be particularly true for women with regards to supportiveness of a sports bra related to the strenuosness of an activity. The right sports bra can make all the difference when it comes to comfort, performance and preventing injury. Choosing the wrong one can lead to back pain or breast pain, bringing your gym workout to an abrupt end. Sports bras are designed to provide increased support, reduce breast movement (which can create discomfort), and minimise the risk of injury.  The wrong type of clothing from sports bras to shorts, can also cause chafing, which is painful and can lead to serious infections if not taken care of properly.  

A common misconception is that all workout clothing is created equal. This couldn't be further from the truth. There are many different types of clothing available for workouts and choosing the wrong type could do more harm than good.  Some people prefer to wear clothes that are made of cotton because they feel comfortable while others go for synthetic fabric as it could be more stretchy and more durable.  You need to avoid wearing clothes that are too loose or tight as it may affect your performance and make you uncomfortable. For most workouts in the gym and fitness classes, women’s co-ords are an excellent choice for comfort, coolness and flexibility.  If an item of clothing isn’t working from you then don’t give up, try something different next time until you find the right style and type of gym clothing that works for you.

The first thing to consider when deciding on what type of workout clothes to wear is what you will be doing in them.  For example, if you are going to do cardio then you need something that will allow you to move around easily without getting too hot or too cold. If you are going to be lifting weights then it’s important that your clothes are loose enough so they don't restrict your movement or cause any discomfort while working out.

For gym workouts, you need clothes that keep you dry and cool. You need shoes that offer good traction and protection for your feet. And something you may not have thought about is a pair of gloves for boxing or weightlifting.  This is because our hands are the most important part of our body when we exercise. They’re what we use to lift weights and punch bags, which means they need special attention at all times. Gloves will protect your hands from calluses and blisters while helping them maintain their grip on heavy weights or ropes during a workout.

yoga pants

Yoga pants

Take some classes

A great way to get the most out of your gym is by taking classes that are included in your membership.  This can be a really cost-effective way to approach a gym membership as most high-end gyms will have memberships that include as many classes as you like each day.  Usually you simply have to register for the class you wish to take on a first come first served basis.  If you are able to take a few classes a week, or even one per day, then your gym membership will soon pay for itself.  Imagine having to pay everyday for an individual class and you’ll begin to see the benefits of a gym membership with classes included.

There are many benefits to taking classes at the gym. You can exercise and improve your fitness level while getting a good workout in. It's also a great way to learn new skills, meet new people and make friends, and even have fun!  The gym floor can become a little monotonous, so classes are great for mixing up your workouts and keeping them interesting.

Another great thing about taking classes is that they're usually led by an instructor who will give you personalised attention and feedback on how well you're doing.  Plus they’ll teach you the best way to do things.  For example, if you practice yoga at home you may not get the positions quite right by yourself.  By going to a class the instructor will adjust your position if you’ve not quite got it right.

Gym memberships are expensive, so it's important that you get the most out of yours by taking classes. Classes will help you stay motivated and engaged with your fitness routine.

personalised gym bag

Personalised gym bag

Personal trainer 

A personal trainer is a one-on-one workout partner that can provide motivation, accountability, and knowledge of the gym. They help you get the most out of your membership by providing personalised training sessions and helping you set up a fitness plan that suits your needs.  They are also great for people who are new to the gym and need guidance on how to work out properly or use the equipment.

There are many benefits of hiring a personal trainer at your local gym. One of the most obvious benefits is that they can help you reach your fitness goals faster than if you were to do it on your own. A personal trainer will also be able to give you feedback on how well you’re doing in the gym, which will motivate you to continue going to the gym and working out.

The benefits of hiring a personal trainer at your gym include:

1) Motivation: A personal trainer will provide you with motivation and keep you accountable for your workouts.

2) Knowledge: A personal trainer will know the best ways to get results in the gym.

3) Guidance: A personal trainer will guide you through exercises, which is great for beginners who may not know what they are doing in the gym.

If you want to be fitter and healthier then a personal trainer is a great way of gym-maxing as much as possible. 

motivational gym bottle

Motivational gym bottle

Final word

Adding a gym session to your morning routine for healthy living is a great idea to keep your health in check.  Being able to improve your health and fitness as much as possible is hugely important.  Hitting the gym is one of the key things that you can do to improve the way in which you look and feel in your life.  

The gym can be a great way to get fit and healthy, but it can also feel like a waste of money if you don't know what to do. Follow the above tips on how to make the most of your gym membership and get the most out of your money.

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