1. Work Hard, Rest Harder
When you get into a routine of working out, it can be difficult to stop and rest. However, this rest is crucial to building strength and muscle. When you lift weights, your muscle fibers break down. Your muscles repair while you're resting, which is why you should give them at least 48 hours of rest between workouts. If you work a still-healing muscle, you are more prone to injury. So, be good to yourself and rest up.
2. Save Time to Stretch Out
Stretching is overlooked all too often. Get into the habit of stretching for a good 10 minutes after your workout to optimize your training results. Stretching increases blood flow to muscles, which decreases overall muscle soreness after a workout. It helps elongate muscles, so that your performance increases over time. It's important to stretch only warm muscles to avoid strains and tears. Stretch either after a good workout, or do a quick 5-minute warm up before stretching.
3. You Can't Run on Empty
Fuel your body for your workout. Just like you can't expect your car to run on an empty tank of gas, it's unreasonable to expect your body to be able to work without proper fuel. Eat a balanced diet, rich in complex carbohydrates and protein and low in fat. Try eating five or six small meals a day to keep your metabolism going strong all day. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially before and during your workout. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink, as this means you're already somewhat dehydrated. Get into the habit of sipping water during your workout. You'll notice your endurance increases when you're well fueled.
4. Do It the Right Way
Learn proper form and technique for all of the exercises you're doing. It's important to maintain proper form throughout your workout to avoid injuries. You actually get a better workout when you perform exercises with the right technique and form. Hire a personal trainer to show you how to use machines at the gym and how to use free weights on your own. If a trainer is out of your budget, ask a fitness savvy friend to share their knowledge with you and maybe watch you perform some of your exercises to point out form that needs to be corrected.
5. Tune In to Your Favorite Sounds
Find a music source for yourself during your workouts. Whether you're jamming out to the music playing at the gym or plugged into your own play list, good music can help get you moving and keep you moving. Experiment with different styles of music to find something that motivates you. Inspirational music gets you into the right mindset for a strong workout, upbeat tempo music gets you moving a little faster and some good rock music helps you put a little more power into your workout. Most importantly, music can make your workout fun!
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