No matter what your fitness goals are, classes are a great way to get in shape. And if you are trying to get a serious workout and see results, boot camps offer the extra motivation and accountability that you might be missing from the gym or from working out on your own. Here’s how you can make the most out of your upcoming session.
Know your limits (so that you know how much to push them)
Knowing your limits is essential in any training session, but it is particularly important if you are going to a bootcamp for the first time. Otherwise, you can end up so sore that being active again will feel like torture.
Trying to do too much too soon will only burn you out. The last thing you want is to push yourself too hard and end up injuring yourself. Instead, pushing yourself a little bit beyond what you think you can handle can be a major motivator in the future.
Don’t be hard on yourself
Bootcamps involve “high-intensity” workouts, so you will be working at a faster pace than other types of exercise. So, remember to take it easy on yourself. If you can’t follow through with a routine, tell yourself that it is okay and try again. This will allow you to stay motivated for the next class.
Aside from that, here are some tips for getting through your first few weeks of boot camp without getting hurt:
● Wear comfortable gear: When you are working out, it is important to wear clothes that allow you to move freely while working out. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be comfortable. In fact, you don’t have even have to pay full price for your workout gear any longer. You can simply use this Nike promo code to get huge discounts on gym wear.
● Rest up: Give your body time to recover from the stress of moving from an ordinary workout routine to a truly challenging one. If you’ve been working out for many years, consider easing into a new workout program with one or two extra days off between workouts – just to make sure your body is ready for the increased demands.
● Warm-up and stretch: Incorporate at least five minutes of warm-up exercises and stretching into every workout session before you start cranking up the intensity. This will
help prevent muscle soreness and strains by increasing blood flow to the muscles and reducing your risk of injury.
● Pre-exhaust or isolate: If possible, try to do pre-exhaustion techniques like supersets – doing one set of chest exercises immediately followed by a set of back exercises, for example.
Put your phone on airplane mode
Many of us are guilty of looking at our phones during workout classes, but the truth is that this habit can be detrimental to our workouts. So, the next time you go to the gym, put your phone on airplane mode and see if you notice a difference in your performance.
The reason for putting your phone on airplane mode during a workout class is basically that you can’t get distracted by any notifications or alerts that you receive or any messages that you might receive.
This allows you to really focus on what’s going on in the class so that you can give it your all while still getting the most out of it. It also helps avoid any temptation to get distracted by social media, work emails, or other notifications when you are doing an intense cardio session.
Keep repeating but add a new challenge every time
When you are getting started with working out, it is easy to get into a routine. You know the machine you like, and you know how much weight to lift or how fast to run. But if you want to continue seeing results, it is important to change things up every once in a while.
Attending the same classes can be fun and comfortable, but you should work towards adding variety. Try not repeating the same class over and over again; but if you do end up repeating classes, consider challenging yourself each time by adding different moves or trying new equipment.
Remember that boredom is one thing, but if you overuse one muscle group, there’s a good chance it will get injured as overusing any muscle group can lead to overtraining, which causes injuries and can prevent muscles from recovering properly between workouts.
Set realistic goals for yourself
Although boot camp classes can be very challenging, they are supposed to be fun and rewarding. If you go into a class expecting a grueling ordeal, chances are you will get one – and chances are it won’t be fun or rewarding. So, set goals that will push you but that you know are reachable.
If you can’t keep up with the instructor or the other members of the class, don’t feel bad about modifying your workout or asking for help. You will still get a great workout even if your pace is slower than everyone else’s!
