Boost your energy levels at the gym

For morning workouts… 

1. Wake up for your alarm

Do you ever set your alarm for an early start, then wake up and fall back to sleep? Here are some ways you can stop that tempting habit:

Set two alarms with ten minutes apart – if you have fallen back to sleep then you won’t waste too much gym time.

Don’t cheat by turning the alarms off, this won’t benefit you. You will get into the routine and you will have more hours in your day to fill.

On your phone, set a positive name for your alarm to motivate you, for example: ‘get up, don’t give up’, or ‘work out to make it worth it’.

Put your gym kit somewhere you can see it for when you wake up. This will naturally boost your motivation.

2. Plan your day

If you lead a busy lifestyle then make sure you have a definite plan for:

A gym routine.

Knowing what clothes you want to wear that day.

Breakfast – to eat either an hour before the workout, or immediately afterwards.

By having plans in place you will feel more relaxed during your workout.  Eggs in a basket is a filling and energising breakfast that’s tasty and healthy. Brown bread or wholemeal is the way to go, as it is much lighter and won’t bloat you so much. If you enjoy a warm cup of tea or coffee, especially in the cold winter mornings then tuck in. Enjoy your breakfast, but keep it light. Water is your saviour as it will quickly hydrate you, so don’t forget to take your water to the gym. If you’re not a big fan of plain water, try infusing it with fruits.

Make sure you leave at least an hour between breakfast and your workout, as you don’t want to get any aches. By doing this you are also giving yourself time to do some stretches.

For evening gym sessions…

1. Push through the tiredness barrier

Too tired from work or studying?  Although it can be hard to work out after a long day, you can always make time for some fitness. The most important thing to remember is that your workouts will pay off, and you will also feel better in yourself:

Put your gym kit where you can see it, so it reminds you of your goals.

Have a healthy, filling meal earlier in the day, so you are energised to work out.

Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day, this will keep you feeling awake and ready for your workout.

2. Feel inspired

If you are able to walk to the gym, this will help you warm-up and embrace the cold winter days.

If you like to have music pushing you on, then make sure your music device is fully charged and don’t forget your headphones.

If you’re on Instagram, then why not search for some fitness inspiration before your workout? This will motivate you and you’ll feel determined to reach your fitness goals, but keep it realistic and in reach.

Watching inspirational fitness movies can also energise you mentally, and will give you more determination to challenge yourself.