Time Saving Gym Tips: Ready for a Quickie?
Time Saving Gym Tips: Ready for a Quickie (Without Sacrificing Results)?
Studies show that quick bursts of short workouts can be as effective as logging long hours at the gym! So don’t fret if you’re not able to run miles on the treadmill or spend an hour in a yoga class. Instead, make the most of the time you do have. Here are a few ways to help you get the benefits you want, in the time you have!
Make a Plan
How many times do you head to the gym and then wander around while you figure out what you’re going to do? Save time by spending a few minutes one day each week to plan out your workouts. If you belong to a gym, check out the class schedule so you don’t show up only to find out you have 15 minutes to waste until spin class starts. Then schedule the gym in your planner so you’re sure to make the time (no matter how little time you may have), and, here’s the key: plan what you’re going to do each day. Maybe Mondays you have time for the spin class but Wednesdays you only have twenty minutes. Plan now how you can most effectively use those twenty minutes so you don’t waste any of your precious time trying to decide if today should be a cardio or weight day.
Multitask
When weight training, many of us only work one muscle group at a time. Don’t get us wrong, any weight training is wonderful, but getting through your whole body may, unfortunately, take more time than you have. Well, imagine how much more quickly you could get the same benefits if you were able to work multiple muscles at once. And you can. Just swap those leg extensions and crunches you usually do, with lunges and planks and, in the same amount of time, you’ll see significantly greater results.
Rest Less
We know, you get tired after that set of squats and just want to sit down, even if only for a few seconds. Those seconds, though, add up. We’re not saying you shouldn’t let your tired muscles recover, but, instead of taking a full-body break, try just resting your worn out parts while you work a different part of your body. Lunges may not be ideal after a grueling set of squats, but bicep curls may not be so bad!
Squat
While the squat is one of the most dynamic and effective