How to Prepare Your Body for a Gym Workout

Guest blog post by Luke Douglas from ripped.me

You might think that the success of your workout depends only on your performance at the gym, and this is where you would be wrong. Just as abs are made in the kitchen, your workout starts at home. Preparing the exercises that you will try out at the gym and opting for various hacks that will keep your body healthy and fit is exactly what you should do. So what are the things that matter? How can you enhance your workout when you’re not in the gym? Take a look at some of these tips and tricks and you will see the change in not only your workout routine, but your whole gym performance as well.

Don’t underestimate sleep

The first thing that you need to pay attention to is that you get enough sleep every night. Sleeping for 7 to 8 hours a night is the ideal amount, as your body and your muscles have plenty of time to rest for the following day. Being rested doesn’t only energize you, but it also keeps your hunger hormones in check. If you don’t get seven hours of sleep during the night, do not hit the gym as your workout will not be that effective. What you could also do is implement the “Amish Hour” before sleep and turn off all of your gadgets – that way, you will rest your body and your eyes, and it will be easier for you to set off to Dreamland.

Hydration is crucial

You probably already know that you should drink your water as it’s crucial to your health, but did you know that water plays a very important role in your fitness routine as well? It’s very important that you sweat a lot during your workouts, and you will only manage this if you are properly hydrated. Not only that, but it’s also crucial that you drink water just because of your sweat – after all, you’re losing water and you should make up for it. Another reason why water is good for you is due to the fact that it keeps your energy levels just where they need to be.

Don’t fear the supplements

Due to the fast pace of life, we cannot always get the proper vitamins and protein that we might need for our workout. In order to make sure that they are doing whatever they can to make their workout more successful, many people opt for various supplements. This is completely safe, and sometimes even advisable, but you need to make sure which ones you need. If you want some energy pre workout supplements, make sure that you choose the ones that will affect your strength, endurance, performance and recovery. Creatine is also a supplement that many opt for, and if this is the case with you, get the creatine powder that’s of the highest quality. If you need magnesium during the day, you can also opt for such a supplement as well. There’s no need to fear supplements, but double check it with your personal trainer or somebody who’s a professional.

Prepare your gym bag

Before hitting the gym, make sure that you have everything you need in your gym bag. This includes comfortable shoes (as you don’t want injuries and you want to be comfortable while you’re running on the treadmill or doing your squats), towels, and accessories such as music, headphones and a water bottle. Of course, special attention should be paid to the clothes that you wear. If you want the best of the best, you will opt for clothes that are made of breathable materials. Compression clothing is also an excellent idea as it will keep your body temperature intact and can prevent any injuries. Not to mention that high-quality clothing can motivate you even further.

Cool shower after your workout

Even though it’s not actually scientifically proven that a cool shower after your workout will make your recovery quicker, some researchers state that cold water therapy can aid recovery. Moreover, it also feels extremely good to shower using cool water. This is especially good if you are overheated, as it will help your body get to its original temperature. Bear in mind that you shouldn’t shower with ice cold water if you’re extremely hot as it can be dangerous. Opting for cool or lukewarm water is the best option.

Preparing for your workout is one third of your workout, believe it or not. The other two thirds will definitely reflect your performance at the gym, but you can do so much more with just a bit of preparation.