Get the Most Out of Your Fitness Routine

Fitness Secrets of Success From an Elite Personal Trainer

It is not uncommon for a fitness professional to hear new clients comment on their difficulty in seeing results from their current fitness regime. It may not be that you are doing any one thing incorrectly, but fitness professionals will certainly help you achieve your goals.

Here are some secrets of success from an Elite Personal Trainer:

1. Be Consistent

Consistency equals fitness results. If you are serious about fitness or simply improving your health, you have to put in the time either at the gym or being active. Fitness is best on a daily basis. It can be a resistance training program one day and cardio the next, or a mixture of both on the same day. Whatever combination works for you, go with that and make sure you are doing it often.

2. Include Compound Exercises

As much fun as isolation exercises can be, you must incorporate compound exercises into your program. Compound exercises work several muscle groups at once and yield the maximum results in minimal time. You can keep your favorite isolation exercises, but do those at the end of your workout after you have worked your larger muscle groups.

3. Take Time to Rest

It is not uncommon to see people in gyms take 2-3 minute rest breaks between sets. However, shorter rest breaks help create a metabolic response in the body. This will also ensure that you are keeping the fatigue level of the workout high.

A good rule of thumb to follow:

• For sets that include up to 13-15 reps, rest for 1 minute between sets.
• For sets that include up to 8-12 reps, rest for 30 seconds.
• For sets that include 4-6 reps, rest 2-3 minutes.

Build Lean Muscle, Burn More Fat

4. Lift Heavier Weights

One fear of women when they begin a resistance training program is that they will become bulky with masculine sized muscles. This is a myth. For women to build large muscles, they would need to increase the testosterone levels in their bodies, eat a tremendous amount of food and lift very heavy weights for several years. Women should challenge themselves and lift weights that are a bit heavier than they are used to. This increase in resistance will help women achieve a leaner body. Remember, as you build lean muscle, your body will burn more fat.

5. Eat Better

Poor nutrition will slow your progress. Denying yourself fuel will not only slow you body function during the workouts, but it will also slow your body’s ability to repair itself during rest. Make better choices at meal time,  follow the exercise plan your Personal Trainer has created for you, and you will be sure to see your fitness results.

6. Better Your Sleep

Sleep habits are another thing to look at when assessing why you aren’t seeing the fitness progress that you had hoped for. Your goal should be to get at least eight hours of sleep per night. The benefits of a good nights sleep include better control over appetite and therefore better food choices. A reduction in amount of cortisol secreted throughout the day (which will prevent belly fat accumulation), and an increase metabolic rate.

Personal Trainers have found great success for their clients using these fitness tips, and you are sure to as well.