Are you getting the most from your workout? If you’re investing the time to exercise regularly, you probably want to get as much benefit as possible from your efforts. Check out these tips for getting more from your workout without spending more time in the gym.
3 Ways to Enhance Your Workout

1. Add variety. Changing things up prevents your muscles from adapting to a specific type of exercise, which will allow you to keep getting results. If you always work out on the treadmill, try an elliptical machine or stationary bike. If you’ve been building your chest muscles with bench presses, switch to pectoral flies for a few workouts.
2. Add intensity. It’s important to continue pushing yourself after you’ve been exercising for a while. If you walk every day, try bumping up your speed or adding inclines to your routine. When you’re increasing your intensity, you can use a number rating scale called RPE (rating of perceived exertion) to monitor yourself. On this 0 to 10 scale, 0 is no effort at all and 10 is your maximum, all-out effort. You should aim for a 5 to 8 for the majority of your workout and a 9 or 10 for short intervals of 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Hire a personal trainer. A trainer can help customize a workout for your specific needs and introduce you to new exercise, helping you add more variety to your routine. One or two sessions with a trainer may be enough to breathe new life into your fitness schedule.