Everyone wants to have a fitness routine that gives them the health and the body they want. But actually making it happen is more challenging than a lot of people think. For many, there’s quite a bit of discomfort involved.
The good news is that most people experience this, even the most motivated. But, at the same time, there are ways to make the experience more pleasant. Here’s what you need to do:
Train When Your Body Is Happiest
One of the most powerful things you can do is train when your body is at its happiest. That sounds like a strange thing to say, until you try it.
When this occurs depends on your particular rhythm. Most people find it easiest to train first thing in the morning, but you might be more of an evening person, or you could have your best energy after lunch. You won’t know until you try it.
Lower The Weight And Slow The Tempo
Another strategy is to lower the weight and slow the tempo. You don’t always have to go into the gym and do a personal best. Instead, most physiques are built over long periods of time with the right levels of intensity.
If you go to the gym and it feels really hard all the time, that can actually be something that puts you off training more. Psychologically, it becomes unsustainable. Because of this, many long-term trainers have sessions where they take it easy and go a little softer on themselves.
Choose A Comfy Gym
You could also just look into choosing a more comfortable gym. Options like Fear Not Fitness make the experience better by focusing more on community and accountability.
A lot of gyms and fitness centres are focused on hardcore workouts and peak performance. And there’s nothing wrong with this. However, it could be working against your goals if you’re more interested in just obtaining a nice physique and generally feeling good.
Foam Roll Beforehand
If you have issues with aching physically after a workout, you could also try foam rolling beforehand. This activity softens the muscles and prepares them for the workout ahead.
You don’t have to do this for a long time, either. Just two or three minutes beforehand is often enough.
Add Sauna
If you can pair your workouts with a hot sauna, that’s also a good way to make them more comfortable. You’re far less likely to feel sore afterwards if you do this.
Sauna is beneficial because it encourages your body to produce special proteins that help it to remain healthy. After a week or two, you will often notice profound benefits that really stack up over time.
Add A Comfortable Rest Day
Lastly, you want to add a comfortable rest day to your routine if possible. Taking a bit of time off for a long walk or yoga can be a wonderful way to reset your nervous system. After all, pounding the weight all the time can really take its toll after several weeks.
