Staying in shape is not always easy. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. The truth is, it’s not for everyone – not because some people are incapable of it, but because some people are unwilling to put the work in.

But we know you’re not one of those people. We know you’re ready to put in the work. The trick is ensuring you get the most out of every drop of sweat that trickles from your forehead.

Keep in mind these five things when you work out, and we guarantee you will.

Don’t Take Shortcuts

Yes, fitness is hard. Exercise is hard. Working out is hard. If it was easy, you wouldn’t get anything out of it! So when you’re engaging in your workout routine, avoid taking physical shortcuts. You want to maximize your range of motion, giving yourself a more vigorous workout and in turn a more effective workout. If you get yourself some exercise bikes for sale in Monmouth County, for example, be sure to use them with a full range of motion in order to get the most out of your time on them.

The 30 Second Rule

When working out with weights, aim for a weight that has you starting to falter and fail at the 30 or 40 second mark. That’s the ideal amount of time to put the proper tension on your muscles needed to begin growth. If you’re faltering at 20 seconds you are using too much weight, and if you can keep going for two minutes you’re not using enough. Remember, the idea is to get the most out of everything you do!

If Building Mass, Skip Cardio

If you’re in the mass-building phase of your fitness cycle, go light on the cardio. Why? Because you’ll end up burning too many calories. If that sounds contradictory – burning calories is supposed to be a good thing, after all – the reason is simple. When you’re trying to build muscle you NEED those calories. Replace intense cardio with a light jog a few days a week. About 20 minutes is ideal.

Prepare Before Any Endurance Training

When it comes time for endurance training, preparation is key. That means ensuring you have been eating properly, plenty of hydration, mixing cardio and weights leading into your endurance training, and more. Endurance training can really take its toll on your body. If you’re not prepared, you’re going to FEEL it. If you are prepared, on the other hand, you’ll burn enormous quantities of calories and turn your body into an incredibly effective machine.

Use A Heart Rate Monitor

These simple little devices are affordable, so there is no reason not to invest in one. The reason to use one is simple: they’ll tell you if you’re working out hard enough, specifically during endurance training. It’s not enough to just do a task for an hour, after all. The task has to be sufficiently challenging enough to burn calories and begin sculpting your body. When you’re riding your exercise bikes for sale in Monmouth County, keep your eye on that heart monitor, too, to ensure you get the most from your workout!