Do you want to spend 90-120 minutes in the gym or 30-60 minutes? You can get the same results of a 90 minute workout in 30-45 minutes or less. When I workout at my local fitness club, I am always shocked on how people workout …cardio and their strength training workout on machines.
Observations at the gym:
1. Workout out on the cardio machined watching TV or reading a book for 90 minutes is almost a waste of time. Instead try a cardio circuit as bike 10 minutes then run intervals for five minutes (my current favorite workout routine). On the bike do intervals as 30/30 sitting and standing or spin flat road then hill climb. On the treadmill try running faster 5k goal pace for 30-45 seconds then jump on side rails for 10-15 seconds. Or do 3-5 cardio machined or exercises for 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
2. When doing weights…try to stay off the weight machines but if you do use proper alignment and activate your core/posture muscles. So many people slouch over machines and don’t activate their stabilizers. Wake up your core and improve your posture. Instead use the cables and free weights….but see a personal trainer first.
3. Interval training …. Short on time? Do 5 minutes of cardio (jump rope!) then do 3-4 strength exercises. Mix it up. Push, pull, squat and rotate. Cardio blasts can be body weight based as jumping jacks, speed skaters or ski hops.
Change your routine! I see the same people at the gym that have been doing the same routine for 10-15 years. Mix it up. Another observation are body types…check out the people lifting weights and doing intervals compared to those sitting on the cardio machines reading a book. Just like people’s grocery carts!
Debbie Potts
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