Many of us have a very specific idea of what we would like our bodies to look and feel like in an ideal world. We train each week, we eat what we think is right and we follow the rules, except we don’t see the results. If this sounds familiar it may simply be the case that you need to implement these five simple tips into your routine to maximize your results.
1. Do you know what you’re doing? Many of us think we know what we are doing in the gym. We stick to a self-made routine and we do it over and over again without results. We stick to the machines we feel most comfortable with and we do the exercises we think we should be doing. But the truth is, you can’t be expected to know exactly what to do. Knowledge is everything – and understanding how to train YOUR body, what works and what doesn’t is key. This is why so many people work with personal trainers, who maximize your hour of training, correct form and teach you the moves that actually count!
2. The final 20% – It is so common to think you are giving your session everything and then some but the truth is that most of us are really truly challenging ourselves when we train alone. To get lasting results, we always tell our clients that it’s the last 20% that counts. It’s the 15th burpee, the final five sit-ups or the additional reps of your squats that’s going to push you to what you are capable of achieving.
3. Consistency is everything. There is absolutely no point in training extensively for one week and then giving yourself the next month off. Your results will be short lived. Set a regular routine. We always recommend at least three busts of 45 minutes of exercise in any given week and don’t over-complicate this. You don’t need a fully set up gym, expensive equipment and gadgets. Body-weight exercises and a little bit of floor space is all that is required.
4. Make sure you are eating for fuel during your training. One of the best ways to control your diet during your training is to ask yourself before every meal and snack: is this food good for me? Does it contain important nutrients and vitamins? Will this meal help me train later and give me the energy I need? I do this all the time and this is what makes me reach for an apple or avocado rather than a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar.
5. Recovery and sleep should not be underestimated if you want to achieve results. As important as it is to give the additional push in your training, your muscles will only perform at their best if you are giving them time to rest and recover also. Make sure you schedule off-days into your routine so that you don’t feel tired and weak in your sessions. You should always listen to your body, and when it hurts in ways that it shouldn’t then it is time to take 24 hours off.
