When it comes to exercise, you only get out what you put in. You’ll never see results you want if you put in half-hearted, weak, or wimpy effort.
It’s all about getting the most out of every workout. Think quality, not quantity. Of course, we all have days when we’re just not feeling it and “giving it your all” just means walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes!
As an endurance athlete, each workout counts! I’ve found a few important things matter if I want my workouts to be amazing and effective. Here’s how to boost your ability to get the best workout, ever!
Get Your Best Workout, EVER!
1. Get Plenty of Sleep
You should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep every single night. It’s your body’s natural way of recharging its own batteries. This is especially crucial when you are training because sleep is also when your body mends and repairs muscle tissue that’s been broken down during exercise.
“You give your body the chance to repair, recharge, and regrow during sleep,” says wellness expert Dr. Felecia Stoler, “It’s the ideal time to replenish nutrients, and since your body isn’t moving, it allows the muscles to repair themselves.”
And when you get the right amount of quality sleep, you’ll have the energy to get through a tough workout, which is important because exercise and sleep have a mutually beneficial relationship.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, “People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.” That’s about 30 minutes of exercise four to five times a week.
The more quality sleep you get, the better your workouts will be, and the better your workouts are, the better your sleep gets! It’s a no-lose situation.
2. Eat a Balanced Pre-Workout Meal
When prepping for your perfect workout you need to make sure that you properly fuel your body. You wouldn’t expect your car to make a cross country road trip on a quarter tank of gas, so don’t expect your body to either. This is especially true for those of us that workout in the morning since you haven’t fueled your body in several hours.
A balanced pre-workout meal consists of protein and simple and complex carbs. The protein will help support the repair of your muscle tissue and the simple and complex carbs will keep you going through your entire workout. Keep this meal low in fat.
Aim to eat this meal 30-90 minutes before your workout. I really like oatmeal with blueberries and a drizzle of honey with some egg whites on the side. Most of the time I’ll just whip a protein shake with IdealLean Protein and a banana, it’s so tasty and convenient.
3. Take a Pre-Workout Supplement
Pre-workout supplements are a great way to help you rock your workout. Just be careful about which one you take. A lot of pre-workout supplements are basically just an expensive caffeine supplement.
A good pre-workout, on the other hand, will contain caffeine to pump up your energy as well as other ingredients designed to help increase endurance, blood flow, and focus. A great pre-workout supplement will even include ingredients designed to support your fat loss goals as well!
IdealLean Pre-Workout contains ingredients to do all of these things! It’s not just about having enough energy to get through the workout, it’s about getting even more out of your workout than you could without it.
4. Create a Killer Playlist
You might be thinking, “Is a good playlist really that important to get my best workout ever?”. Um…Yes!
Not only is a good playlist fun to make and listen to, there are some serious benefits to rocking out while working out. On my long runs and bike rides, my music is what keeps me going!
“Music distracts people from pain and fatigue, elevates mood, increases endurance, reduces perceived effort and may even promote metabolic efficiency. When listening to music, people run farther, bike longer and swim faster than usual—often without realizing it,” said Ferris Jabr in an article from the Scientific American.
And when you include fast-paced songs you’ll actually up the intensity of your workout because you’ll subconsciously try to keep up with the beat of the music.
5. Wear Cute Workout Clothes
Another surprising way to get the best workout is to wear cute exercise clothes! I know a lot of ladies that exude confidence when they’re wearing their favorite outfit. When you look good, you feel good.
I promise that not only will you feel more motivated and confident when you’re wearing cute workout clothes, your performance will improve as well! This makes keeping track of your workout clothes doubly important. I can’t tell you how many times I was running late the entire day because I couldn’t find the “right” workout clothes in the morning.
So, keep track of your favorite exercise outfits so that you can get the most out of your workout and your day.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
Water is essential for your overall health. You should aim to drink a gallon a day to keep your body running at peak capacity. If you do allow yourself to get dehydrated it can have a major impact on your workout. Dehydration can sap your energy causing you to feel sluggish, tired or even faint.
If staying hydrated is a challenge for you try mixing things up to make your water easier to drink. Adding lemons or limes to your water is a great way to add flavor. For added flavor and major benefits add IdealLean BCAAs to your water. They come in tons of delicious flavors so you won’t get bored with what’s in your water bottle. IdealLean BCAAs are not only delicious, they’re zero calorie! Plus they contain amino acids to help you recover faster and coconut water powder for a big hydration boost. Also try adding fruit and herbs for a fun, flavorful kick.
Bringing It All Together
Getting a great workout and the best possible results doesn’t have to be a hit-and-miss mystery. With these 6 tips, you can have the best workout ever, every single time! When every workout is the best, you’ll feel a lot more motivated to keep hitting the gym. And with that kind of consistency you’ll start seeing the results you want.
Then to maximize the results of your workout, include IdealLean BCAAs in your workout regimen. With ZERO sugar, ZERO calories, and ZERO fat they will help you work towards your ideal.
