Better Workouts 6: Workout Management
- More efficient training
- The key to shorter workouts
Gym workouts can be boring and that’s when it becomes completely counterproductive. On the other hand, knowing what to do and how to tinker with your routine will get you great results.
In this edition: Workout Management
Now, you may wonder what “workout management” is all about. However, upon thinking about this blog, it got me thinking about similarities between golf and working out.
Much in the same way that you can get round the golf course without thinking about how you play, you can also have a workout without really contemplating what you are doing. However, the skill lies in your tactics.
One of the greatest tips I was given when playing golf was to “use course management.” It’s easy to just slash a ball around a golf course and hope for the best but why was that bunker put there? Does the green slope to make it more difficult from one side? Would a longer second shot be more advantageous?
There is method behind how the course is constructed and if you can get your head around the best places to leave the ball then you will improve. It’s almost a case of having a plan for “best place to leave it if I miss my ideal spot.”
Where does working out come into this? “Well, in all this excitement I’ve kinda lost track myself”
What I mean is you should have a contingency plan when it comes to working out. Particularly when you have a plan set and for example, in January when the gym is busy have a “go-to” approach. You may not get on the equipment that you require but you should have you round about we based on your understanding of working out of how to get from A to B. This is perhaps a microcosm of what I mean as this should also be applied to the days that you work out (for example if you miss workouts or have to work late) and your overall approach.
In my experience of fitness coaching, it is those who have the “adapt and overcome” mentality that will succeed. After all, it is far easier to quit than it is to persevere with something that is difficult like getting fit.
Overall, what I’m suggesting is knowing your workout inside and out before you begin. Know where you can substitute exercises, know the priorities and equipment most likely to be busy. This comes from knowing your gym and your workout routine before you go – I assure you that this will save you so much time in the gym rather than standing, waiting and looking unsure about what to do.
If your workout plan relies a lot on free weights; could you substitute in kettlebells, dumbbells, pulley machine or any other equipment instead of waiting for what you need? Afterall, a minor adjustment in your technique will get you more results by keeping the intensity of your workout up instead of standing around whilst your heart rate drops.
In my opinion, a gym plan should be succinct with the goal being to complete the workout in as short a time as possible (with ample rest between sets obviously).
Rarely will I have a gym session that lasts over an hour for two reasons: the intensity begins to drop if you spend too long in the gym and I’ll do my cardio on different days to my gym workouts so it means that yes, I will probably have more workouts in a week but they will be shorter and with more effort. It’s about creating a plan that works for you and your lifestyle.
Use guides like the RYPT blogs to better understand the gym, terminology and training styles to give you the best possible advantage when training.
If you want more guidance / support on your workouts or training plan then get in contact with me for your trial of the RYPT app where you’ll be fully taken through a comprehensive beginner to intermediate training plan whereby you’ll be able comfortable training alone at the end of it.
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Ross Yeoman
RYPT Owner
