No doubt you’ve heard this phrase before because it’s relevant and powerful in every area of life: “Work smarter not harder.”

You wouldn’t work more hours for the same amount of money, so why would you workout longer in a way that produces a lesser result?

As a fitness professional for the past 15 years, I’ve seen it over and over again in a gym: the cardio machine people head to their machine of choice for 45 minutes to an hour. The upper body people (usually guys) do their same curls and bench press routine. Yogis go to yoga.

All of this is fine. There’s no judgement here. But if the goal is a combination of health, a lean body, confidence, stamina, strength, and flexibility, there’s a better and more efficient way.

Traditional workouts tend to take 60-90 minutes to get through all parts of a circuit including cardio or something like a yoga class. I believe ALL forms of fitness, like yoga, are totally viable and should certainly be incorporated.

However, if the goal is what’s listed above, you don’t need to workout for hours and hours. In fact, working out too much can slow down your progress.

Here are a few other fitness pointers to get the most out of your workout time:

· Change it up! Doing the same routine over and over again is going to hinder progress and visible results.

· Make it a habit – you’re far better off exercising 3-4 days per week consistently than going 7 days in a row one week and taking the next two weeks off.

· Fuel your performance – I’m not going to give you a nutrition lecture here, but be sure to get the right food or supplements into your body before and after your workouts.

· Focus on your form ALWAYS for best results and to prevent injury!

· Make sure there is a strength component to your workout, as it provides the greatest overall benefits for the short and long term!

Here at Ascend, our clients transform their bodies with 30 minute workout sessions. Add a bit of warm up, warm down, corrective exercises, and they are in and out in 45 minutes. You don’t need to work harder, or longer. You just need to train smarter.

I’m curious…what’s your FAVOURITE way to workout in a way that supports your goals? Let me know!

Yours in Health,

Tanja

P.S. If you’re ready to take that next step, click here to book a no-obligation no-pressure consultation so that we can learn more about you and see if we’d be a good fit for each other!