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10 Steps To Help You Avoid Losing The Thrill: Unused Workout Equipment
10 Steps To Help You Avoid Losing The Thrill: Unused Workout Equipment
10 Steps To Help You Avoid Losing The Thrill: Unused Workout Equipment
Thrill
What's your excuse for not making it to the gym on a consistent basis? Locker room too smelly?
Eye candy not sweet enough? Music volume making your ears bleed? Feeling intimidated by
buff bodies crowding the free-weight area?
Don't let your gym membership go to waste!
If you're starting a new exercise program, you're probably very excited about it, which is great.
But that excitement is going to wear off, at which point you'll begin to notice how much time and
effort a workout plan really requires.
And that's the point where you may be tempted to start pulling back, or even to quit entirely. But
we're not about to let that happen. Follow these steps from the very beginning, and you'll be one
of those dedicated gym members who really get their money’s worth.
6. Mix it up.
Doing the same workout over and over again gets old fast, and your results won't be as good as if
you try a variety of exercises. Instead of doing 40 minutes daily on the treadmill, try every darn
aerobic machine in the gym and go on hiking, in-line skating and bicycling adventures whenever
you get a chance.
Change your weight training routine regularly to keep things interesting and to help break
through plateaus. A lack of variety leads to staleness. A good rule of thumb is to change your
sets, reps, weight, and rest periods every 3-4 weeks. You'll have more fun if you learn new tools
and keep doing different things.
7. Go one on one.
One reason working out can seem less enjoyable than playing sports is that it lacks interplay with
others. But there are lots of ways to have some spirited competition in the gym, whether it's
racing >> on treadmills or competing (safely) with your weightlifting buddy. When two guys are
on the same regimen, they can make things more fun by having "mini-contests."
Try going as many reps as you can on a certain weight. Or see who can lift the most weight for
4-5 reps. Just make sure the contest rules specify doing the exercise right, since sacrificing form
to lift more weight can be dangerous.
8. Work with a trainer or coach.
Workouts seem easier and are more effective with a professional proddingyou on; plus, you're
more likely to feel obligated to show up (especially if he's going to charge you anyway). When
there's someone watching you and keeping an eye on your progress, there's incentive to keep
going. If you can't afford to hire a trainer for every workout, just do it every couple of weeks or
once a month and have him/her help you set goals for you to reach in between.
Also, consider getting a training partner - just make sure it's somebody who will show up every
time, is dedicated as you are... in other words, a clone of you.
9. Force yourself to hang in there religiously for the first three months.
Nothing sustains motivation better than results. However, whether you're a beginner or a
competitive bodybuilder, your muscles must be given enough time to adapt to the growth and
recovery periods that strength training requires.
Though you may see some results, like increases in strength, early on, noticeable changes in your
physique CAN take up to three months. (NOTE: This DOESN'T mean that everyone will take
this long to see results. I've had clients see results in the first couple of weeks; some waited a few
months before things fell into place.)
It also takes that long to establish a rhythm and discipline to your training schedule, but after
three months of dedication, you'll be a lot less likely to fall off the training wagon.