Training smarter, not just harder, is the key to reaching your fitness goals and avoiding plateaus or injuries. So many people have plenty of good intentions when it comes to their exercise, but they fail to achieve their goals because they don’t apply a few basic principles.
While you may be dedicated to your workouts, there are often overlooked aspects of training that can significantly enhance your progress.
Here are five tips you might be neglecting…
1. Do what you should do, not what you want to…
It's easy to fall into the trap of only doing exercises you enjoy. However, this approach can lead to imbalances and hinder your progress. Instead, prioritise exercises that align with your goals, even if they're not your favourites.
Whether it's focusing on compound movements for strength or incorporating cardio for endurance, tailor your workouts to what will benefit you the most in the long run.
2. Use unilateral exercises…
Many training routines primarily focus on bilateral movements, such as squats and bench presses. However, incorporating unilateral exercises, which work one side of the body at a time, can address strength imbalances and improve overall stability.
Include exercises like lunges, single-leg deadlifts, and single-arm rows to ensure both sides of your body develop evenly.
3. Include flexibility training in your schedule every week…
Flexibility is often overlooked in favour of strength and endurance training. However, maintaining or improving flexibility is crucial for enhancing movement quality, preventing injuries, and optimising exercise technique.
Dedicate time each week to activities like yoga, stretching, or mobility drills to improve joint mobility and muscle flexibility. It’ll help you to get into better positions with exercises, which in turn will make them more effective for you.
4. Mix up your exercises…
Repeating the same exercises week after week can lead to stagnation and reduced results. Your body quickly adapts to familiar stimuli, diminishing the effectiveness of your workouts. Introduce variety into your training routine by incorporating different exercises, equipment, or training modalities.
Experiment with kettlebells, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises to keep your workouts challenging and engaging. It’ll help you both physically and mentally, because you won’t get bored.
5. Use 'prehab' exercises…
While many focus on strengthening muscles for performance, it's equally important to address areas prone to injury. Incorporate 'prehab' exercises into your routine to strengthen vulnerable areas like the lower back, shoulders, and neck.
Exercises such as bird dogs, face pulls, and rotator cuff exercises can help improve joint stability and reduce the risk of injury over time.
By implementing these often-overlooked training tips into your routine, you can maximise your progress, minimise the risk of injury, and achieve your fitness goals more effectively. Remember, a well-rounded training program addresses strength, flexibility, stability, and injury prevention to ensure long-term success and overall well-being.
Want to improve your health and fitness? Let the AdMac Fitness Personal Trainers help…
AdMac Fitness has been helping the people of East London transform their health and fitness for nearly a decade.
We help people using tried and tested fitness approaches. Our expert team of personal trainers, based in both Bow and South Woodford can help you get a grip of your health forever. With our guidance and experience, you can relax knowing that your fitness journey is going to be guided by some of the best personal trainers in East London.
For more information on who we are, what we do and how we can help you achieve your health and fitness goals, contact us on… 07921465108 or email us at admacfitness@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Our locations are…
AdMac Fitness: Arch 457 Robeson St, London E3 4JA
AdMac Fitness South Woodford: Unit 4 Marlborough Business Centre, 96 George Lane, South Woodford, London, E18 1AD