The Top 8 Ways To Take Your Workout to the Next Level

Working out is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and wellness, but what if you want to take things a step further?

There are many different methods that you can use in order to take your workouts up a notch.

Here are ten strategies for taking your workout game to the next level:

Track your workouts with an app

The vast majority of us have access to a fitness tracker in some form or other -  there are plenty of apps out there that will allow you to monitor your workout data.

By tracking your workouts, you'll be able to see where you're excelling and where it's time for improvement - this is the first step in taking your workout game to the next level. Try a new exercise or class at the gym. 

If you're utilising an app to track what you've been doing at the gym, it's always a good idea to take things one step further.

By tracking and measuring how we are performing on a day-to-day basis (rather than just keeping tabs of the bigger picture), we can get more personal with our training routine and make sure that we really know where we stand in terms of performance.

Swap out exercises for new ones regularly.

Add weights to your workout routine

Adding weights to your workout routine is a surefire way of taking things to the next level.  Weights challenge you in different ways than cardio can and will help improve strength over time, which can only be beneficial for improving overall health and wellness.

Adding weights is not going to immediately bulk you up, though - if this is your goal, you're going to have to add a lot more weight than most people expect.

The majority of guys out there will only need around three or four kilos in order to start noticing the difference it can make when it comes to building strength and muscle mass.

Try different types of exercises until you find one that suits your body best

There are many different types of exercises that you can try in order to take your workout game up a notch - for example, yoga is another form of exercise that people might not consider when looking into trying new things.  

Furthermore, it's always worth investing some time into checking out what else there is on offer before sticking with the same old gym routine day after day.

The good news is that a growing number of gyms will have free trial periods available or special offers which make it easier than ever to check out something totally new without having to fork out too much money (or any at all).

Alternatively, you can always have a look online - you can find either classes or videos on almost every type of exercise that you can imagine.

Trying out a Zumba class in the comfort of your own living room will feel much less anxiety-inducing if you missed out on the coordination/rhythm gene!

New workouts to try out:

• HIIT -  there are many different types of HIIT workouts that you can try out, and it's a great way to take your workout game up a notch.  By working harder for shorter periods of time (but with intense intervals throughout), the body will be forced to work even when we would normally expect our bodies to need rest. Many people find this one particularly difficult as it requires more coordination than normal, but if you're prepared to give it some practice then it could very well pay off in terms of improved health and wellness overall!
• Crossfit - Crossfit is a form of HIIT exercise that uses exercises like running, weightlifting and gymnastics to create an intense workout. Although it might not be for everyone, Crossfit has taken the fitness world by storm over recent years - so much so, in fact, that many gyms now have their own specialised branches within certain cities! If you're lucky enough to live near one of these places then give them a try - they can really take things up a notch when it comes to getting totally fit. 
• Zumba -  an alternative to HIIT and cardio, Zumba is a form of dance workout that focuses on high intensity interval training.  Although it's not for everyone (some people get embarrassed when they don't know the moves), there are tons of different videos online which you can try out at home before going along to your local class! If this sounds like an interesting way to take things up a notch then give it a go - just be prepared for some hilarious dance routines in front of other gym-goers if you've never done anything like it before!
• Yoga - an ancient form of exercise that is more popular than ever.  Although it doesn't necessarily have the same 'burn' as HIIT or cardio, yoga has been proven to be a huge benefit for improving overall health and wellness.
• Boot camps - Do a boot camp workout once in a while! Boot camps are popping up all over the place these days and for good reason, too - they're exploding with energy and will give you everything that you need to see results from your training routine. Not only will this help improve overall fitness levels but it'll also boost motivation and make working out feel like less of a chore (which is never fun).
• Any other kind of cardio (especially if you're mainly lifting weights).

Invest in some new gear, including running shoes, yoga mat, weights, resistance bands, etc.

Although many people would argue that having a personal trainer is the best way to take your workout game up a notch, we're going to go out on a limb here and say that investing in new gear could be another option worth exploring - after all, there are some great benefits to buying yourself something totally new!

If you're struggling with motivation, it's always worth checking if spending a little cash (rather than a lot) will help give you an added push. For example, running shoes can make all of the difference when it comes to taking things from good-but-not-great to amazing (in terms of comfort). It's one of the things you "put up with" for a while but then wonder what took you so long to replace them when you realise the effect they have on our exercise routine.

Make sure to designated appropriate rest days so you can recover from hard workouts and avoid injury

It's also important not to forget that you need time off to recover - if you're working out every day, it won't take long for your body and mind to break down under the pressure.

Not only will this help improve overall fitness levels but it'll also boost motivation and make work outs feel like less of a chore (which is never fun). You should aim for at least two rest days per week so be sure to investigate different types of yoga workouts as well!

In many ways, purposely setting aside specific times during which we can do nothing but relax helps us recharge our batteries after a busy period. Although taking things easy might sound counterintuitive, there are some great benefits associated with slowing down once in a while.  

Tailor your nutrition during the day so you have enough energy for your workouts 

Nutrition also plays an important part in your exercise routine - make sure to tailor things around what works best for you. For example, if you find yourself flagging towards the end of a work out then perhaps having some snacks during the day that are high in carbs (such as bananas) might be helpful.

Having something before and after working out is definitely beneficial; this way not only will it help improve your performance but it'll also mean that you're pushing yourself further than usual every single time.

In many ways, taking your workout game up a notch can be achieved by doing just one simple thing: thinking outside the box! Instead of always going with what we know has worked well for us previously or sticking to our comfort zone, it can be really beneficial to try out something new.

Find an exercise buddy who can hold you accountable and push you harder than you would on your own 

It might even be worth considering finding an exercise buddy who is also looking to take things up a notch - it's always easier working out with someone else and they'll hold you accountable if you ever start missing sessions (which we all know happens from time to time). Schedule your workouts in advance so that there are no excuses (for either of you) .

Get a trainer to help you get the most out of your workout

In many ways, this is a great way to take your workout game up a notch.

A trainer will push you further than you'd be able to do on your own and can help fine-tune things that perhaps aren't going as well as they should - having someone by your side to provide encouragement throughout the entire process can make all of the difference when it comes to taking things from ho-hum to amazing!

We usually have all the best of intentions but then life tends to get in the way and before you know it, you feel like your workouts have become boring and stale! Hiring a trainer could be just the ticket to get your exercise game back on track.

A trainer will also be aware of what the best exercises to try out are and can help you tailor things around your specific needs, which is something that most people (myself definitely included) aren't always able to do for themselves.

People who hire a personal trainer tend to stay more motivated than those who don't - after all, it's much easier when someone else is there with you motivating you not only during but before and afterwards as well!

This means that there'll be no excuses coming up whenever motivation starts fading away.

You just lift weights if they lift weights too and then this makes working out seem like less effort - especially important in our busy lives where we're constantly on the go!

Wrapping up:

If you want to get the most out of your workouts, try incorporating some neuroscience principles into your routine.

Using a fitness tracker app can help keep you motivated and accountable for all those miles logged. You should also invest in new gear if it will motivate you to work harder during your workout sessions.

Find an exercise buddy who is willing to push past any boundaries that might be holding back from achieving the best possible results with their own training regimen.

Finally, make sure to tailor nutrition throughout the day so you have enough energy left over after a hard workout session or intense weight lifting regime.

A trainer may also provide additional incentives for success by encouraging more challenging exercises and building on already-existing skillsets when developing personal programs tailored specifically for each individual.