Making exercise a habit is essential, but so is preparing for your workout so you can get the most out of it.
What time of day do you work out? That determines the best way to prepare for your workout, so there is no one way to get ready. It is vital to prepare your body to avoid injury, get the most out of your workout, and enjoy it.
If you find yourself tired and unmotivated during your workout, that could mean you don't have enough energy, dehydrated or are just not in the right mindset to get down to work. Get in the habit of preparing for your workout to feel your best and give it all you can.
5 Why Is It Important To Prepare For Your Workout
It is important to prepare for your workout so you can get the most out of it. For example, if you work out in the morning, it is not essential to eat before, especially if weight loss is your goal, although a banana or something small is totally fine. However it is vital to stretch before your workout because your muscles are tight from sleeping, and without warming them up properly you could get injured.
If your goal of working out is to get stronger, you need to find the right time of day when you are hydrated and have consumed protein to help you have the energy to build. If you feel thirsty during a HIIT workout, it isn't best to drink water during because it will make it harder to do your cardio workout.
You have to hydrate before so that you can feel your best. There is a lot to do pre-workout to take care of your body and get the results you want.
4 Hydrate
Staying hydrated is vital for boosting your daily energy, focus and concentration and keeping up with wellness, and it is essential to stay hydrated before and after your workout as you lose a lot of water from sweating.
Make habits of hydration, start the day with two glasses of water before doing anything else, and set reminders to stay hydrated through the day. For each cup of coffee, remind yourself to drink a glass of water, and keep a reusable water bottle handy and ready to take to the gym too.
3 A Healthy Snack
How much you eat before working out depends on the time of day. In the morning, if you work out first thing it isn't necessary to eat although if your tummy is grumbling does have a small snack.
Whereas for folks who work out during the day or evening, it is important to have a full meal and even a healthy snack before working out. This is about timing, obviously eating lunch and working out right after isn't going to work. Think about the timing, and always have a banana and some granola as emergency workout snacks.
2 Stretch
Stretching is vital before any workout, and more than stretching but warming up your muscles. No matter if you are going for a morning run, or taking your lunch break at the gym you can't go from zero to 100, you need to stretch and get warm.
For the folks going to do some cardio, start off with a walk to get your body adjusted to movement. You can also do dynamic stretching such as lunging slowly from side to side to get a fluid movement going, and of course, warming up the muscles that are going to get worked out.
Don't forget your neck and shoulders, do some dynamic twisting to avoid injury.
1 Get In The Right Headspace
One of the most important things to do before working out is to make sure you are in the right mindset. If you go into the workout feeling motivated, third and like you don't want to work out, then you shouldn't be doing it anyways. Your time is precious, showing up is important but move your body in a way that is accessible and enjoyable.
If you intended to go on a run, but your mind just isn't there, walk it out instead. If you wanted to do a HIIT workout, but you need to move a bit slower today, pop on a pilates workout. Be proud of yourself for moving your body, and let your mind meet where your body is.
Who knows, after warming up and getting started with what feels good, maybe you will feel up to a cardio boost towards the end.
Getting in the right mindset can make or break your workout. If ahead of time you set a goal for how far you want to run, or how many reps you want to do, you are more likely to achieve it than going into your workout blindly.
Progression is all about mentality, you will get from your workout what you set out to do.
