12 Ways To Save Time On Your Workout

For many of us we count seconds in our private and business lives. Could be dashing off to catch a plane for a business trip; keeping appointments with business associates; preparing the children for school pick up and rushing back for drop off; and being on top of other social demands. Finding time for workout is therefore another problem on top of others already experience daily, so you want to maximise the time spent in the gym as much as you can. To help along this healthy path, experts propose 12 ways that should assist you save time on your workout routine while still being able to get the maximum effect of a fantastic training.

1.       Focus on a workout plan

Before you hit the gym, have a plan in your mind how you intend going about it. For instance, if all you’ve got is 2 hours of workout, you may decide to do 45 minutes aerobics, 45 minutes on the weight equipment, 10 minutes on warm up and cool down, and if you still got any energy left, dive into the swimming pool for a 15 minutes moderate intensity swimming. Once you’re aware of your workout arrangement it helps to focus, and reduce the urge to wander around the gym wasting time needlessly. So have a workout plan before you enter a gym and abide by it.

2.      Help your body burn fat faster

Gym treadmills are fantastic machines for jogging, walking, or running, and even better when you decide to spend some time doing a little bit of each which help unleash the intensity of your body’s fat burning ability.  To commence, walk for 5 minutes, then jog for 5 minutes, then run at a higher level 5 minutes, interchanging the routines until you reach 30 minutes of total time.  If that is too difficult, start at 2 minutes of jog, 2 minutes of run, and increase gradually by 3 minutes until you can do 5 minutes jog, 5 minutes run.

3.      Take your  drinking water

No doubt some gyms have drinking fountain.  Whether a gym has a drinking fountain or not, taking your water to the gym is a better idea anyway so you can take a sip now and again as you work out.  Not only do you save valuable time, but you also keep your body properly hydrated, resulting in better workout performance.

4.      Avoid gym during busy period

If you want a fantastic effective performance workout, don’t go to the gym during its busy period usually 5pm to 8pm.  It can be annoying and stressing to have to wait until a workout equipment is free, or worse still have someone standing beside you waiting for you to finish your workout. This experience can take the shine off what should have been an otherwise great workout.

5.      Get to the gym early

Most gyms have fewer members go in the early morning time.  And above that, you will often find them less chatty, perhaps because they are still trying to wake up, unlike in the evening time when you have to listen politely, whether you like it or not, to tales of the day’s activities.

6.      Take and hang on to a bench

One unit of adjustable workout bench provides you the opportunity to try out several different exercises in the midst of a chaotic gym.  You can do crunches, curls, triceps, bench presses, shoulder presses, extensions, upright rows, and others.  Your workout is more effective and efficient when you also have all the barbells and dumbbells at arms stretch.

7.       Warm up

Between 5-10 minutes warm up raises your body temperature, helps the circulation, and loosens your leg joints, improving workout performance and reducing risk of injury.

8.      Stop the talking

Agree you can’t wait to tell your friends at the gym about your latest boyfriend or girlfriend or give a general update on your life.  But when time is crucial and you have to speed through your workout, let your friends know, politely of course.  This way you’re able to workout speedily and effectively without making your friends feel abandoned. 

9.      Invite your partner

There are times it seems as if exercise is taking your time and keeping you apart from your spouse or partner. A solution may be to go to the gym together, which doesn’t necessarily mean working out together; your workouts may be different.  But at least this is much pleasing than feeling guilty about not spending time together.

10.   Try and use a nearby gym

Try and find a gym that’s conveniently close to you. You will save time and reduce the stress of travel time if you find a gym that is either on your route to work or on your way home. Better still, a stone’s throw from your house.  

11.     A permanent locker is smart

If it’s possible to get a permanent locker, grab it. A permanent locker, where you can keep your extra clothes, workout clothes, gym shoes, and toiletries, will not only save time but also help you out when you need to do a quick workout.

12.    Stay with the Rack

You can reduce workout time considerably if you spend your time in front of the dumbbell rack rather than shift from one machine to another, though may not be pleasing to other gym users.  Imagine the various exercises you can do on the spot with dumbbells: rows, bench presses, all kinds of curls, shoulder presses, and lunges.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons.