4th March, 2021

How to know if

your workout is really working

Working out is like dating. You want to be in a place with your fitness routine that makes you feel steady but not too comfortable. You want your workout to challenge you and surprise you, sometimes even keep you on your toes.

Designing a fitness routine that you like and that gets you closer to your fitness goals takes time and patience. While the right structure may vary from person to person, most pros agree on what defines a good workout.

Here are some signs to see whether you are on the right or wrong workout.

No. 1: You don't feel rejuvenated after your workout

Exercise is supposed to make you feel better, thanks to the release of feel-good endorphins, say Kimberly and Katherine Corp, co-owners of Pilates on Fifth in New York City and ActivMotion™ Bar master trainer. So if you’re feeling down or overly exhausted after a workout, chances are it’s not the right workout for you. Great workouts should also inspire you to eat healthier, so if after exercising, you feel the need to get a double latte or cheeseburger, it’s probably not a match.

No. 2: You’re chronically achy the day after workouts.

Muscle soreness is one thing—and can actually feel good, as it lets you know you’ve worked hard and your body is changing for the better. But pain, especially if it restricts movement or makes daily activities challenging, is another. If you experience joint pain, neck stiffness or pain, or lower back pain after your workout, there’s a good chance that particular activity is doing more harm than good.

No. 3: You notice your body is changing for the worse.

Many of us exercise not just to feel better but to look better too. So if you notice that you’re moving further away from your goal after doing an activity, it could be a sign that it’s not the best match for your body type. Try a variety of activities until you find one that makes you feel great—and helps you get closer to your goal. Finally, seek out activities you enjoy. The more you like what you’re doing, the more likely it is that you’ll stick with exercise for the long haul.

A quality workout doesn't have to be long at all despite what your ultimate goal is. Building muscle of losing weight is obtainable with 20 minute workouts opposed to an hour at the gym. Maintaining your weight doesn't need a lot more than half an hour of brisk everyday and eating right.

The best way to see your progress and know whether your workout is going well is testing your before and after body composition.

Body composition is a method of breaking down the body into its core components: fat, protein, minerals, and body water. It describes your weight more accurately and provides a better glimpse into your overall health than traditional methods. Body composition analysis can accurately show changes in fat mass, muscle mass, and body fat percentage.

Tracking down your body composition history with an InBody scale is helpful to assess the effectiveness of a workout.