There is nothing more frustrating than putting in the time and effort into the gym but struggling to achieve the results you are looking for. My experience tells me that the best way to reach your fitness goals quickly, safely, and effectively is to emphasize quality over quantity. Here are some tips to help simplify your workouts and make that happen:
Pick Fewer Exercises
An effective strength training routine does not need more than three to five exercises per workout. You have a limited amount of energy and focus going into each training session and more is not necessarily better. Overloading yourself with too many exercises can inadvertently decrease the overall quality of your workout.
Stick with Basic Movements
A complete upper body routine is a program that aims to improve one’s push up, rowing, pull up, and overhead pressing ability. A complete lower body routine includes squats and lunges. Core training includes isometric work like planks, supermans, and side planks. Regular bouts of cardiovascular conditioning and stretching put the final touches on an all-encompassing fitness routine.
There are an infinite number of variations to these exercises but do not let that overwhelm you – this is as complex as it needs to get. Focus on these basic movements, learn to perform them well, and watch the quality of your time spent at the gym increase.
Practice Mastery
Exercising is one thing and exercising effectively is another. Shifting your attention to posture, experimenting with range of motion, tempo, exercise variations, as well as exhibiting control in everything you do at the gym has benefits. These small details will help to increase the working muscles time under tension, heighten body awareness, and reinforce a mind-muscle connection that is imperative to achieving results at the gym. Practice frequently, be your toughest critic, and develop the humility to take a step back and reassess as necessary.
I will leave you with this suggestion – pay less attention to how many exercises you complete, how many repetitions you perform, how much time you spend at the gym, and how much weight you can lift. What matters most is the quality of your practice. Quality habits breed quality results.
