Turn Up the Workout Intensity With These Tips
By Genevieve Cunningham
Sometimes we just have to change up our workouts. Doing the same old routine every day can get boring. And beyond the boredom factor, your body also gets used to it, meaning it's not as challenging as it should be. But if you really like your routine, you may be hesitant to try something new. Why mess with a good thing, right? Luckily, you can improve your workout without changing the actual routine. How? With intensity! If you're ready to take your workout up a notch, take a look at these tips for turning up the intensity today.
Focus
It's easy to let our focus wander during a workout. We just go through the motions. While this is definitely better than nothing, the workout will get a lot harder if we put our focus back into each move. Think about how your body is moving and which muscle is working. Think about doing each rep with full power. By simply refocusing your mind and energy, you can change the intensity of your workout and make it more challenging.
Shorter Time, More Energy
Sometimes we just need to change up the length of our workout. At first blush, you may think that longer is better, but that's not always the case. If you're looking for more intensity, consider reducing your break time. This means you'll work out for less time overall, but you'll fatigue your body more. You'll be out of breath faster, have sore muscles faster, and drain your energy faster. It's a great way to improve the intensity while getting you out of the gym even faster.
Set a Short-Term Goal
We often set really long-term goals for working out. We want to lose 50 pounds in a year. We want to drop four pant sizes. We want to improve cholesterol or blood pressure. While all of these are great goals, sometimes a short-term goal can get you moving a little faster. It can reignite your motivation. Aim for three pounds in a week. Aim for a certain outfit by the next holiday. Short-term goals have their place, and using them to get your heart back into your fitness routine is certainly a good idea.
Sometimes we have to put a little energy back into our workout routines. We have to give more power and focus in order to see results and continually change our bodies. Use these tips to make your workout a little harder, and the end results will get you even closer to your fitness goals than ever before.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Charleston, S.C.