In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s nearly impossible to set aside the time you need at the gym each day. It seems there are always more “important” things to be doing. When you do get into the gym, avoid these 7 time wasters.
1 – Don’t work out too much! Sounds contradictory? It’s not. I know of people who spend 90 minutes on cardio, then another hour on weights and who knows how much time researching the latest supplements. You’re body can only benefit from a certain amount of exercise. Go over that amount and it’s all wasted.
2) Stop stopping for too long! You know if you’re one of these people. You see a friend walk in the gym who you haven’t seen in a while and suddenly your heart rate is too high and you need to rest “for a little bit.” Don’t stop everytime you have a chance. It’s not going to help you reach your goals.
3. Going without a plan of attack- Have your routine ready before you set foot in the gym. Going without a plan of action is like building a house without blueprints. In the beginning of your new life in the gym, you’ll probably have to check your workout plan a few time while you’re there. That’s ok!
4. Not having a backup plan- There is nothing more frustrating then going to the gym with your plan in hand and someone is already using the machine! Having a backup plan ensures you spend more of your time in the gym exercising and less time feeling frustrated. If someone is using the chest machine, no big deal: Do push-ups instead.
5) Work hard than you think you should. If you’re building bulk, you should be doing 8 to 10 reps of each exercise. If you find you’re doing more than this before you run out of steam, you need to increase your weights. If you’re workouts aren’t intense enough, it’s going to take a lot longer to get the results you’re hoping to see.
6. Not using your full range of motion- If you are not using your full range of motion when performing your exercises, you can be sure that you are wasting your time. Be sure you are using correct form to be sure you are getting the results you desire.
7. Not seeking the advice of a professional- If all the top athletes have coaches and professional trainers, don’t you think you could use their advice? Having a trainer will help you to get further along in your training then trying to do it by yourself. He or she will help you to use proper form, technique, rep ranges, tempo, rest intervals and exercise combinations to maximize your results and minimize your frustrations
That’s it. The top 7 things that could be wasting your time in the gym. Maybe all 7 didn’t apply to you directly, but there’s something there you can do to improve the quality of your workouts. Pick one item and focus on that for a week. Then pick another one. Pretty soon you’ll be maximizing your time in the gym.