There are more signs of a good workout than how much you sweat or how sore you are.
Here’s what they are, according to fitness experts.
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Ive never met anybody that could talk like this.
clinical social worker and therapist atADHD Advisor
She would come in and it was like pulling teeth to get her to do a basic movement.
He wanted them to see results, feel better, and work up a sweat.
This woman, though she kept coming back, was a challenge.
One day she came in particularly chipper.
This whole time, Id thought I failed as a trainer, he says.
But her goals had nothing to do with athletics performance.
He realized that tough workouts, sweat, and soreness arent always the best criteria for a good workout.
For decades, the fitness industry preached no pain, no gain.
Nowadays, that level of intensity is considered unnecessary.
clinical social worker and therapist atADHD Advisor
Browning cautions that excessive soreness might be an indication that your workout was actually not very good.
The best metric to use for your workout is basically how it makes you feel.
You should feel empowered, like youve done something, and have a sense of accomplishment, he says.
He explains that this sense of empowerment will come from completing a challenging routine.
But challenging doesnt mean going all out.
Maybe its a run and the miles flew by.
Maybe its aHIIT circuitand every move felt like a breeze.
Just because it felt easy doesnt mean you didnt work hard enough.
You hit a PR
Let us clarify.
Personal records, or PRs, can vary.
The number of reps at an increased weight could be a PR.
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Of course, you might not know how well youre doing unless youre keeping track.
Tracking is going to be one of the most beneficial things you could do, Witney says.
Did I lift heavier weight?
The process and the path to fitness should be enjoyable.
People should feel like they want to go back to it.
And they should feel capable.
Scott Browning, ACSM-EP
4.
With many clients, Browning uses subjective measurements to rate workouts.
The majority of the people I work with, their objective is to actually feel better, Browning says.
So unless theyre metrics- oriented, they might not care that they did extra weight today.
But if I make them feel better, thats fantastic.
you could do the same to see if your workout was a success.
Plus, an improved mood and general sense of well-being is a hallmark sign of a good workout.
Youve explored emotions
Movement can be a healing force when it comes to complex feelings.
It gave me an unencumbered space to explore feeling without judgment.
it’s possible for you to be more present when you exercise, she says.
Witney says this goes back to paying attention to how your exercises feel in your body.
Lets say youre squatting, she says.
You have more balance.
Your ankles, specifically, have improved movement.
Weve all been there.
Nielsen says that in this scenario, just getting to the workout is a mental win.
you could find acceptance in your physical ability, which will improve your mental ability to overcome physical weakness.
The same goes for if youre in the middle of an activity and notice something is off or painful.
Stopping, instead of pushing through the pain, means youve succeeded in your workout for the day.
It takes being aware of your body to notice that your body is not physically performing well.
This mental awareness is part of what a successful workout looks like.
The process and the path to fitness should be enjoyable, Browning says.
If its not, a good coach could make the difference.
People should feel like they want to go back to it.
And they should feel capable.
…
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