Image from Ronn ashore

Sometimes, you really want to get to the gym.  You don’t know what you’re going to do when you get there, all you know is that you really want to go.  But when that happens, you may find yourself staring at all of the equipment wondering what to do.  You better not work out the same muscle group you did two days ago.  Did you run 3 or 4 miles yesterday?  What day is leg day again?

By showing up to the gym without having a plan for what to do, you can negatively affect your workout quality, intensity, and effectiveness.  That brings me to gym tip number 6 – always plan your workouts beforehand.

By knowing exactly (or even approximately) which exercises, how many sets, how many reps, and what weight you’ll be shooting for, you’ll be able to work on continual progression, ensuring your body is benefiting from all of your hard work.  It allows you to focus your intensity on your lifts, not on figuring out which exercise to do next.  If your routine depends on super-setting or circuit training, then having a plan beforehand is not only a luxury, it’s a necessity.  You can’t take time out of your routine to think about which exercise to go to next.

So there you have it, plan your workouts beforehand (and don’t forget your journal) to maximize your time and effectiveness at the gym.