Category: Personal Fitness

The Ultimate Guide to Proper Gym Etiquette

As a fitness enthusiast, the first thing I look for when I move to a new area is a gym. I have been to several gyms, and I have seen some things that drive me crazy with rage, especially when it comes to being orderly and neat. It does not sit well with me when I find a 5 lb plate where the 45 lb plate is supposed to be. I always feel that simple courtesy goes a long way.

 

Surely, leaving things how they were or better than we found them will not hurt. In the gym, etiquette is something every gym user should read into. Being respectful to fellow gym users and observing a little decorum goes a long way even during workouts. Below is an ultimate guide to gym etiquette that we should all strive to follow.

 

Leave Things As They Initially Were

After working out, it is common sense to return things where we picked them. Such items include the weights, dumbbells, yoga mats, and workbenches. Leaving them lying around could be dangerous; for example, another gym user may trip and injure themselves. Leaving other people to clean up after you is counterproductive to their gym time and a waste of their time and energy. If anyone feels that cleaning up after themselves is a burden, I would advise placing back the dumbbells in their rightful place as a form of workout.

 

Clean Up After Ourselves

After a workout session, we are bound to get all sweaty. Every piece of equipment that we have been using gets drops of sweat and germs. It is courteous and common sense to wipe down the equipment you have used at the end of the session. This makes it easier for the next person to use the equipment. Also, there will be no cross-contamination in case the first user had any infectious diseases. Just as we would clean up after ourselves in our houses, why not do it at the gym?

 

Watch the Surroundings

In the gym, there are very many chances of getting badly injured. Before walking to get those dumbbells, scan the surrounding. If a fellow gym user is lifting weights, it’s wise not to pass by their side. Accidents are prone to happen, and one might slide or let go of the weight and get badly injured. It is also important not to move so close to someone working out because we might ruin someone’s sets and rhythm.

 

Watching one’s surroundings also applies to taking care of the gym equipment. Avoiding dropping heavy equipment protects the floor, walls, and even the gym equipment.

 

Always Ask

If one is new in the gym, it is possible they are not very familiar with how to use various equipment. Misusing equipment can be hazardous, and one might end up causing more harm than good to themselves and others.

 

Also, it is important never to assume anything. For example, don’t just pick up and start using equipment from someone. It’s courteous to politely ask the other person if they are done using that machine before just jumping onto it. They might be taking a break, and it will be a big inconvenience if they have to wait or look for another machine.

 

Personal Space

Unless there is an agreement to work out or spot together, it’s very awkward to be all up in someone’s space. It doesn’t matter if someone is lifting or stretching; I would advise to leave them enough space. Invading someone’s area may end up disrupting their ability to focus, which makes them very uncomfortable. Being mindful of other people’s personal space is crucial because instances of accidents and injuries are minimized.

Songs to Keep You Going in Your Fitness Journey

Workouts are sometimes very tough and may need a lot of motivation to complete. At times, it becomes boring and morale is needed to even begin sessions. There is no better solution to these workouts than music. Music alone can easily change the tempo of a training session. There are some songs I listen to keep my spirits up when doing workouts. There are also different songs that I listen to motivate myself to finish workouts. So, whether you build your playlists on an online platform or download music with the help of some of the best torrent sites out there to put onto a device to listen to without the internet, here are some amazing songs you might want to have on your workout playlist:

 

Lean On

This is an EDM song by MO, Major Lazer, and DJ Snake. It was the most streamed song on Spotify after its release in 2015. It has a catchy beat which keeps my mind lifted and motivated to face the task ahead. MO’s vocals in this song are also brilliant. It is in my workout playlist since I enjoy it and my body always wants to move to the rhythm of the song.

 

Level Up

The title of the song itself is to motivate people to try harder in life. The beats of the song are also catchy. This song is also fast-paced which makes it a great pick for a workout playlist. I always listen to this song whenever I’m having a workout session to push myself harder. The voice of Ciara telling me to level is enough to help push past my limits.

 

Work from Home

This song by Fifth Harmony is one of the catchiest songs of the 2010s. I like this song since it is all about work. The beat itself helps me move easily when working out. The chorus of this song makes me want to keep my body working even when I’m tired. The tune and rhythm create sweet melodies in my ears which keeps my mood up.

 

Stronger

This song by Kanye West speaks about working out. It is great motivation especially during punishing workouts. I like this song since it talks about the physical pain and experience obtained when working out. I always feel like Kanye West is communicating about my situation and giving me the motivation to work harder when working out.

 

No New Friends

No New Friends, a song by the LSD Supergroup was always destined to be a hit song. The hot pop song has heavy percussion which always goes well with workout sessions. The beats in this song always keep me running to the end. It also has a melodious chorus which always lifts my mood.

 

Good as Hell

Good as Hell by Lizzo has been on my workout playlist since it was released in 2016. The chorus is a joyful affirmation to make myself feel good. It is a great workout song since it promotes body positivity. Every line in this song sounds like a celebration of what I’m doing thus giving the morale I need to work out.

 

Wake Me Up

This EDM song by Avicii has some of the catchiest beats I have ever heard in music. The beats in this song always bring a new happy mood at all times. This is the song I use to set my mind to start working out. The vocals in this song are also amazing.

 

Yeah 3x

This song by Chris Brown made it to my workout playlist due to its great beats. Chris’ energy in this song also keeps me energized when working out. The fast-paced beats always keep me moving even when I’m exhausted.

 

John Cena

The song by Sho Madjozi also has some of the catchiest beats I know of. The singer motivates me with her great energy and morale in this song. I find myself doing workouts freely whenever I listen to this song.

Five Easy Tips for Achieving Your Fitness Goals in 2021

Before I begin, allow me to make some guesses about your fitness goals. Guess number one: You have fitness goals for this year. Guess number two: Last year you may have achieved some or none of your fitness goals. Guess number three: You want to make this year different and achieve your fitness goals. If any of the guesses I have made regarding your fitness goals is true, you are reading the right article. In 2020, I achieved most of my fitness goals. However, in the previous year I did not accomplish any of my goals. In the sections below, I will walk you through the tips I deployed to achieve my fitness goals.

Set Smart Goals

I am sure you know what the acronym SMART stands for. In case you don’t, SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. I realized that non-specific goals like ‘get a six-pack’ will not help me achieve anything. Such a goal is vague, has no plan, has no deadline, and has no accountability. I realized that I had to set specific goals. So, I looked at my goal and reframed it as follows, “I want to get a six-pack by the end of the year. To achieve this, I will need to enroll in the closest gym and make sure I go to the gym at least three times a week. I will also watch my diet and avoid fast foods.”

After reframing the goal, I put in the effort and the time. By mid-year, I had cut a lot of abdominal fat but had not yet achieved a six-pack. By the end of the year, I had attained a four-pack and not the desired six-pack. I fell short of my goal, but I made significant progress compared to the year before.

Create a Dedicated Space

I know that this might seem like a luxury, but almost anyone can create a home gym if they have some dedicated empty space at home. With the right rented, second-hand, or lease gym equipment, you can set up a gym that is tailor-made for your workout habits. It’s a convenient and cost-effective way to achieve your fitness goals as you would not have to worry about commuting to the gym or pay monthly fees.

You don’t need a lot of space to create a home gym, and you can start with basic equipment such as resistance bands, dumbbells, and a yoga mat. If you have a garden, you can consider investing in garden room gyms, which are specially designed to be used outdoors and can provide a unique workout experience.

Make Time

At this point, I have identified my goal, and I have a system in place to help me achieve the goal. The next step is to create time to execute the plan. If my days are like yours, then you must feel like you never have enough hours in a day to spend between work, family, and other commitments. We are all busy, but I realized that I always make time for whatever is important for me. Therefore, I became intentional about scheduling time for my fitness goals. I reduced my television time and slotted my gym time after work to avoid postponing the session once I arrived home. Making sure I looked the part definitely helped to motivate me to get into the gym too – if your fitness wear needs a bit of an update, you could check out a site like Raise to see if they have any Nike coupons or discount codes that could help you save money on some new gear.

Track Your Progress

Fitness goals are hard to achieve because the results are not immediate. So how did I stick with the goal for a whole year? I got a desk calendar and tracked every time I hit the gym. I knew there are other tech products like fitness watches (for which details could be available on sites similar to mobilemob.com.au) that can track my daily calory burn, footsteps, workout hours, etc. But for now, I am satisfied with my calendar tracking. I felt good seeing my progress every week. I also knew when I was slacking off and took appropriate action.

Get Some Accountability

Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. Some positive peer pressure can help you achieve your goals. I discovered that it was easier to ignore a resolution I kept to myself instead of one that I had told someone. So, when the year began, I shared my fitness goals with my friend, and we kept each other accountable on a monthly basis. There are days I went to the gym just because I could not bear the thought of telling my friend I had missed all gym sessions in an entire week.

The Best Apps to Guide Your Health and Fitness Journey

There is always a need for an expert when it comes to matters of health and fitness. It is essential to have a fitness trainer and a nutritionist to help out. In this digital age, there are applications that can effectively take the position of both the nutritionist and the trainer. These applications have helped me to stay fit by keeping me dedicated to my training schedules and provided me with a helpful diet guide to follow. Here, I list some that have been helpful to me, all of which I feel would be resourceful to anyone on a health and fitness journey.

 

8fit

This application is free to download for Android and iOS. It offers meal planning and on-demand workouts. The application set for me personalized exercise sessions and a diet to follow. All that was based on the results I wanted to see. 8fit is always issuing instructions, reminders, guidance, and suggestions. The application has videos that are a good aid to workout. I am required to log what I have eaten so that the application can have a better analysis of my progress. There is also a pro version plan which has a subscription of $25 per month, $60 for 6 months, and $80 for an annual plan. The pro version gives custom meals, shopping lists and makes all workouts accessible.

 

Centr

Centr enables planning of training sessions, eating healthy, and doing workouts. The application is used to lose weight, get fit or build muscle. Training goals should be set during the registration process. Some workouts in this application have coaches. These coaches demonstrate workouts and help through them till they are complete.

 

Other workouts are self-guided with a provided sample video and a timer. This application is available on Android and iOS mobile phones. It can also be accessed through a browser. There is a subscription fee of $119.99 per year, $59.99 per quarter, and $29.99 per month. The app provides a free trial valid for seven days.

 

FitOn

FitOn offers users a workout-on-demand. Workouts are given according to the specifications of the user. They are based on the level of intensity wanted, intended training time, and type of workout desired. The application has butt, abs, thighs, yoga, and stretching workouts. The app enables heart-rate monitoring on the screen when training, through the help of a heart rate monitor. It has a leaderboard that enabled me to compete with my friends. This made training more fun and challenging for me. I was able to train with some of the best trainers through video tutorials. It is available on Android, iOS, and browsers. The pro version of this application costs $69.99 per year. Pro subscribers are given personalized meal plans.

 

Fitbit Coach

This is a free to download workout-on-demand application. It can be used on Android, Windows, iOS and the web. The application is equipped with workout videos that can be done at home. The free version of this application offers a limited number of workouts. The premium account is worth $79.99  per year and$ 9.99 per month. I loved this application because it gave me a human trainer to walk me through my training session.

 

Forte

This is a workout assistant that allows the streaming of training sessions. I was able to steam and join workout classes through forte.fit I was amazed by this since I was able to attend a real workout class through the internet. Forte also allowed me to search for available classes. Each class has the time and date listed on the site. There are also details of the length of the class and equipment required to train. Forte requires members to pay a monthly fee of $39 or an annual fee of $288.