Finding the energy to workout is a huge achievement for any college student, so making the most of your time at the gym is crucial. Don’t feel discouraged if you’re not a fitness guru; it can be hard to find new ways to power up your workout. Luckily, Valley’s put together a list of quick and easy ways to take your routine to the next level.
Go in with a plan
To make the most of your workout, it’s best to go in with a plan. Set a realistic goal for yourself before you head to the gym that incorporates multiple components of fitness. Just as you would eat a balanced plate, it’s important to get a total body workout by incorporating cardio, weight training and stretching.
Chris Kalisz, a personal trainer at Frost Fitness, recommends taking your routine one step at a time and dividing your workout into sections. This will make it easier to accomplish your goals and ensure you leave the gym feeling accomplished.
Develop a fitness mantra
Whether you’re hitting the gym to shed some extra pounds or just enjoy the endorphin high, developing a fitness mantra will help you stay on track with your goals.
“Thoughtful motivation will empower you to push through challenges and make the most of your gym time,” says Kalisz.
Need some inspiration? Check out some of Valley’s favorite motivational quotes:
“The reward is not so great without the struggle.” – Wilma Rudolph
“Excuses are useless. Results are priceless.” – Anonymous
“No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch.” – Anonymous
“Never quit. Never give up.” – Gabby Douglas
Create the perfect playlist
Not a fan of the high-energy music that blares out the speakers in the White Building? Don’t be afraid to customize your workout with a personal playlist of all your favorite songs. Whether you prefer to jam out to Adele or David Guetta, make sure to pick songs that will inspire you to keep going. A good beat can help you set a steady pace on the elliptical or get you in the zone to push through those last couple of reps.
Add some of Valley’s favorite tracks like “Stronger” by Kanye West, “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake and “Starships” by Nicki Minaj, which are guaranteed to keep your energy high and muscles moving.
Photo by Coco Cheng
