Are You Working Out Hard Enough?
Are you making your workouts effective or are you just going through the motions? Don't worry, you're not the only one wondering this. Time is valuable for everyone, so it’s important that you actually benefit from the time you're putting in at the gym and making every workout an effective and productive one.
Here are 7 signs to look for on your next workout to make sure you're working out your hardest.
1. Keeping that heart rate up. Your heart rate should be within 65%-85% of its maximum during most of your workout. If it's not between that range, then you're probably not getting all you can from your workout.
2. You look worked, tired, and sweaty after. Sweat is a good indicator, but there’s a lot of factors like the humidity and temperature of your environment that can affect how much you're sweating, so it’s hard to say for every person. If you look the same before and after your workout, with put together hair and a fresh face, then you probably didn’t work hard enough.
3. Using mental energy. You should be focused on your workout and have to concentrate on what you’re doing. Pay close attention to improving your form and find ways to push yourself. If your mind is able to wander and think about other things not relevant to your workout, then you're most likely using minimal mental energy.
4. You feel a physical challenge. The last couple reps of any set should be a struggle. A teeth gritted, sweat dripping, muscle burning struggle. If you don't feel the burn or feel challenged, then you're probably lifting weights that are too light.
5. You dread part of your workout. If there’s not parts of your workout that are difficult enough or hard enough to push you, then you’re probably breezing by. There should be pieces of the workout that you just wish you didn’t have to do. Those parts you dread are the parts that will affect your results the most and will overall make you stronger. So just keep in mind, if there's not one part of your workout that you absolutely dread, then it's too easy.
6. You can see results. If you can see the changes you're looking for, then you're doing it right. However, if you’re eating healthy and not seeing the changes you want, then it’s no question you need to step it up!
7. How well you can talk and communicate. If you feel like you can sing during your workout, you're exerting a low level of energy. And if you can't answer, even in a grunt, then you're exerting a high level of energy.
Be sure to look out for these signs on your next workout to make the most out of what you put in!
WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
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