If you have been going to the gym for any amount of time, by now you must know that the things you do prior to your workout can make or break your training session. So much so, that if you don’t have a winning pre-workout routine in place, you might end up skipping the gym altogether. Skipping one training session won’t leave any significant consequences, but once the vicious cycle is set in motion, you might end up abandoning your fitness goals completely.
Fortunately, tailoring the right pre-workout routine for your needs and aspirations is easier than you might think, especially when you consider the numerous long-term benefits it can have for your overall health, physical prowess, and success in life. Here is the ultimate pre-workout strategy guide you want to take to heart in order to reach your fitness goals.
Carb up, fuel up
Nutrition can make or break your entire fitness journey, and when it comes to maximizing your workout potential, carbs and proper hydration will play the leading roles. Carbohydrates are a natural energy source your body uses during the workout to maintain your strength levels, increase your cardiovascular endurance, and keep you focused on the task at hand. However, this doesn’t mean that you should indulge in sugary sweets or fast food, as only quality carbs obtained from healthy food sources will be able to feed your body with steady energy to push through the workout. If you eat sugar before your training session, not only will the effect be short-lasting, but you will also suffer from a sugar crash, leaving you with no fuel in the tank to push you through the heavy sets.
Likewise, proper hydration will be of the utmost importance to rejuvenate your mind and body, and help you regain mental clarity, energy, and strength. It’s important that you hydrate throughout the day instead of right before your workout, as it will help you reap the full benefits of hydration and avoid a sudden dip in energy levels. Optimal water intake will also help you feel sated and rested, able to blast through your workout with ease.
Review your battle plan
Most guys never give it a second thought, but reviewing your training program for the day, the prescribed exercises as well as the number of sets and reps, can do wonders for your productivity and efficiency at the gym. Devoting just five minutes to plan out your workout and envision yourself completing every set and rep can significantly increase your performance. A surefire way to enter the gym frustrated and leave the iron jungle disappointed is to train without a specific goal or plan in mind. That’s why you want to have a realistic program in place with attainable goals that will motivate you to push your limits and crush your workout. Remember, don’t just think about the end goal, but motivate yourself to reach a new high every time you train.
Get in the zone mentally and physically
Workout supplements exist for a reason – they are there to make you push through the bad days and help you achieve your goals just a little bit faster. A great way to get your mind in the zone and prepare your body for the battle ahead is to take the best pre-workout supplements you can find some 10 to 15 minutes prior to lifting, preferably one that contains only natural ingredients that will wake you up for the workout. Complement the dose with plenty of pure aqua, and you will be almost ready to crush your training session no matter how tired you might have felt during the day. However, you shouldn’t use pre-workout supplements as an excuse to skip proper warm-up.
Warm up and elevate your heart rate
With all the right nutrients flowing through your body, the time is perfect to fire up your central nervous system, prime your joints and connective tissue, and warm up your muscles for the challenges ahead. This will not only help to get your head in the game but it will also safeguard you from injuries and allow your body to keep pace with your willpower and fervor. To get the most out of your workout and supplementation, and to prime your body the right way, start with dynamic warm-ups entailing sprinting, plyometric movements, bodyweight squats, pull-ups, and push-ups. Transition into your workout by gradually increasing the weight on the bar until you reach your working sets.
Get psyched
Finally, the time has come to attack the weights with fiery passion and determination. On the inside, you need to be screaming, growling, huffing and puffing like a wild animal ready to break out of its cage and crush anything that stands in its path. Are you familiar with the feeling? If not, there is a simple way to force it into your mind and soul. Never underestimate the power of a killer workout playlist, as music is the driver of passion, determination, physical strength, and it has the ability to push adrenaline throughout your body and make you achieve feats you never thought possible. So make sure you cancel out the droning gym music in the background, and let pure energy and strength wash over you from your headphones. You are ready.
Training on a regular basis can become tiresome for a number of reasons, eventually leading you to skip a workout, and even abandon your fitness dreams altogether. With this ultimate pre-workout strategy guide, combined with appropriate post-workout routine, you will have no problem pushing your limits in the gym day in and day out in pursuit of greatness.
Scarlet is a passionate writer, interested in fashion, lifestyle, and health. She loves traveling, you could say that she is a real travel addict, especially when she has a chance to visit some exotic destinations. She would tell you that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places.
