Achieving success in the gym isn’t just about hard work, it’s also about avoiding common pitfalls.
Mark Bohannon, a personal trainer in London at Ultimate Performance Kensington, shares essential tips to help you get the best results from your workouts.
With over 25,000 client successes, Ultimate Performance advice is tried and true.
1. Have a Plan
Benjamin Franklin said: “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”
Walking into the gym without a plan often leads to aimless wandering or defaulting to comfortable, less effective exercises like treadmill walks.
Instead, set a clear plan before your workout.
Ultimate Performance offers a program design book that can help you structure your workouts effectively.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Many people set overly ambitious goals, such as working out five or six times a week, which are unsustainable.
Instead, create a plan that you can stick to long-term.
Think of your fitness journey like the story of the stonecutter: it’s not the 101st hit that breaks the stone, but all the hits leading up to it.
Consistency over time leads to success.
3. Establish SMART Goals
To avoid meandering in the gym, set SMART goals:
- Specific: Define exact outcomes (e.g. losing a specific amount of weight).
- Measurable: Ensure you can track your progress.
- Achievable: Set realistic and attainable goals.
- Relevant: Align your goals with your broader objectives.
- Time-bound: Set a clear deadline for achieving your goal.
For instance, instead of a vague goal like “lose weight”, aim for “lose 10 pounds by August 8.”
4. Embrace the Process
Many expect immediate enjoyment from workouts, but initial discomfort is normal.
Over time, as you see results and put in consistent effort, you’ll start to enjoy working out.
Remember, even seasoned fitness enthusiasts started where you are now.
Conclusion
Remember, fitness is a journey, not a sprint.
Develop a plan, set achievable goals, and be patient with yourself.
Embrace the process and the gradual improvements.
By staying consistent and focused, you’ll eventually see the results you’re aiming for.
Keep pushing forward and understand that every small effort contributes to your overall gym success.
Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash
