Getting a balanced workout is crucial if we are to get the most benefit from our gym sessions.
Everyone has their favourite equipment or area in the gym, but this can often lead to us undertaking an unbalanced workout as we steer clear of the things we don’t enjoy.
Using a wide range of equipment gives you the best chance of getting the most out of your workout.
Read on for our top five tips to get the most out of your visits to the gym.
The gym staff are there to help – use them!
If your gym has personal trainers, nutritionists or physical therapists make sure you utilise their services.
A trained expert can speed up your progress and results as well as prevent you from burning out and under-eating.
If your goal is weight loss what you eat is incredibly important, especially if you’re exercising regularly.
Test your limits
You may visit the gym every day, but how much of that time are you actually exercising intensely?
If you spend your time on your mobile phone reading a Betfair Sportsbook review, your gambling knowledge will improve but your workout will probably suffer.
Increasing your activity levels brings about much greater health benefits and noticeably improves fitness and appearance.
Train evenly
Every time you use a leg machine at the gym, you generally work both legs together at same the time.
However, this could cause some muscular imbalances in your body. Most of us do not have equal muscle fitness in our legs and when you exercise them together the stronger one tends to do more work.
Try using less weight and do a full set on your weaker side first. Then, switch legs and do a full set with your stronger side. Training this way will help you balance the strength between both sides of your body.
Don’t neglect your upper body
Cardio sessions focused on just the treadmill and stationary bike will not burn as many calories as those that use your upper-body muscles too.
Include time on a total-body elliptical machine, with intervals focusing on your upper and lower body.
Mix things up using an upper-body arm bike that forces you to raise your heart rate using only your upper half.
Include a post-workout stretch
Make sure you stretch your muscles after a workout as they will be warm and flowing with oxygen-rich blood.
All adults should stretch at least three or four times a week, starting with the front side of your body. The tighter muscles on the front of the body can reduce flexibility in the back.
Before beginning your warm-down, give yourself a few minutes for your heart rate to lower and then perform some gentle exercises before heading for the showers. You might also want to try an electrolyte supplement drink like the ones found here https://drinkmagnak.com/product/speed-sauce/ as this can help prevent post-workout muscle cramping.