8 Ways to Be More Productive in the Gym
Increase gym productivity with these Spot Me Girl tips & tricks
If you’re in pursuit of a better figure and want to feel fitter, then you’ll understand the importance of productivity in the gym. There are far too many distractions to divert your attention from the matter at hand: a great workout that gets results.
It makes no sense to hit up the gym and stray from what you’re there to do. So here are a few Spot Me Girl tips and tricks to help you be more productive in the gym
Get ready to lose extra stubborn fat and get in your best shape ever, girl! Keep reading to discover the 8 best ways to be more productive in the gym.
8 ways to be more productive in the gym
1. Plan ahead
Before you even step foot in your gym, you should know exactly what you’re going to train. Jot a few exercises down or make a mental note of what you want to achieve so you know exactly where to head to when you get in the training room. If you hit the gym after work, it’ll also help to pack your gym bag the night before and go straight there.
We’d even go so far and suggest you make a monthly plan. This way, you know exactly what days you need to get to the gym and what you’ll be working on while you’re there.
2. Listen to music
Plug in and play – let your music keep you focused while you work out. Countless studies[1] [2] have demonstrated that music can help you push your body harder and prevent you from being distracted easily. Line up the right songs in a motivational playlist and go at it. Songs that are upbeat and have a fast tempo will really help. They’ll work for those especially demanding moments when you want to give up.
3. Try supersets
If you want to get more out of your training sessions, supersets are one to focus on. They involve two exercises in a row that concentrate on the same muscle group. For instance, doing a set of lunges immediately followed by squats will engage your lower body muscles and burn a whole load of calories.
4. Experiment with your gym schedule
Every gym gets super busy at certain times during the day. For this reason, it might be worth experimenting with your gym schedule to discover the best time to work out. The quieter your gym, the easier it will be to complete your session faster. You’ll also be able to have your pick on any machine you want, making the most out of your training time.
5. Stay hydrated
Water is a crucial nutrient for health and growth and balances many of the body’s systems. When it comes to exercising, keeping hydrated is seriously important for recovery and fighting fatigue. It may even help push you through a whole other set.
6. Fuel up
There aren’t many benefits to working out on an empty stomach so be sure to fuel your body with the right foods to sustain your energy levels and push harder. Try to eat a complete meal containing carbs, fat and protein at least 2 hours before you exercise to maximize training results.
You could even try a pre-workout to increase your performance and get focused. The benefits of taking a pre-workout vary from increased endurance to enhanced strength and stamina. Check out our list of best pre-workouts for women in 2021 here.
Eating right doesn’t end when you walk out of the gym either. Your post-workout nutrition is just as crucial as your pre-workout nutrition! Reload your body with the nutrients it may have lost during training to help your muscles recover and grow stronger.
7. Time your rest periods
It’s always a good idea to give yourself a break between sets or intervals – but don’t let time pass you by. Rest periods depend on your goals, e.g. if you want to build strength and power, increase endurance, lose weight or just master the correct form, there are different rest intervals. According to experts, these are the best rest periods based on the results you may be looking for:
- To tone, lose weight, or increase endurance – 20 to 60 seconds between sets
- To build strength and power – 2 to 5 minutes between sets
- For hypertrophy – 1 minute between sets
- For better form – 3 minutes between sets
8. Avoid distractions
Once you’ve got your music plugged in and your motivational playlist playing, there’s not much need for your phone – in fact, it could be a great hindrance to your concentration levels. Try and keep it out of sight while you exercise and you’ll be able to accomplish exactly what you came to do: train hard!
It’s often said that having a gym buddy is the perfect solution to stay accountable, however if your fitness goals differ, they could distract more than motivate. If you find yourself unfocused with your workout partner or think your goals don’t match, it’s time to either find someone new or start hitting the gym on your own. If you want to prevent slacking or boost accountability, why not sign up with a personal trainer for a while? Research suggests a personal trainer could boost motivation and even help correct bad habits to make sure you’re training correctly[3].
To sum up
Being more productive in the gym is what will help you start seeing results from your workouts. When your daily schedule seems like a never-ending to do list, exercise always seems to be at the bottom of the list.
Not anymore, girl! With these top tips, you can strategize your time in the gym and maximize your efforts while you’re in there.
The benefits of exercise also extend far beyond having a better figure. It’s a great productivity booster in general, working to kick up your energy levels and improve brain function. Don’t forget to make your training fun and you’ll be even more motivated to work out!
This is a great twist on something that gets forgotten about while at the gym. I post different workout programs with the amounts of rest time, but being efficient the entire time at the gym is incredibly important. I’m big on supersets to make up for lost time.