Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Workouts at the Gym

By John Moore

So, you want to maximize the time you spend in the gym. Here are some ways to make sure you are getting the most out of your workouts.

1. Hydrate - drink plenty of water before, during and after you work out. Being even slightly dehydrated will reduce your strength and endurance, increase muscle soreness, and delay your recovery time.

2. Eat some lean protein within 45 minutes after working out. During the first 45 minutes after working out your body is hungry for protein. Give your body what it needs and you'll recover faster and develop more lean body tissue.

3. Get enough rest. Contrary to popular belief your body does not get stronger or fitter at the gym. Your workouts only produce a stimulus for your body to change. The positive changes that happen to your body happen afterwards. Get 8 hours of sleep and enough down-time to keep refreshed.

4. Unless you are training for a marathon or other distance event - keep your workouts short. For strength, aerobic, and muscular endurance gains - 45 minutes to an hour is enough of a workout. During that time you can focus on making your workouts intense without overdoing it. You should strive to be "fresh" every workout.

5. Do some kind of progressive resistance exercise. Many people avoid weightlifting and stick to cardiovascular workouts to try to lose fat. Resistance exercise builds lean body mass - which increases your metabolism and helps burn fat. It also keeps your bones, muscles, and joints strong - and can create a more shapely body for men and women.

Worried about looking like a bodybuilder? Unless you spend 6 hours a day in the gym and take $100 a day worth of supplements - this is very unlikely to happen by accident. Bodybuilders tend to be genetically gifted individuals that train very differently than you or I ever would.

6. Keep a positive mental attitude. Setting reasonable goals for yourself will help you stay motivated to keep up your training. Find ways to enjoy working out.

You could go with a friend, listen to music, or take up an activity you enjoy - like kickboxing. Don't be too hard on yourself if you have to miss a workout - but get back in the game as soon as you can. Stay positive!