Whether you’re working out to lose weight, improve your health, or just want to tone up, one thing is for sure: You want to make the most of your time in the gym. No one wants to waste their time and effort, right? As you continue to hone your exercise routine to perfection, do these six things to reap the best results from your time in the gym.

Target flexibility. Most of us head to the gym because we hope to build strength, and often because we want to lose weight. But because overall fitness is important, remember to learn and practice stretches. You will improve your mobility, while also preventing injuries.

Try something new each week. Set a goal to try one new type of exercise each week. You’ll target different muscles this way, and your routine won’t become stale and boring. If your goal is to lose weight, you  might be interested to know that calorie burn increases for unfamiliar movements.

Try the free weight area. Speaking of learning something new, don’t let the free weight area intimidate you! Hiring a personal trainer for one or two sessions is worth the investment, if it helps you learn how to use free weights correctly.

Be consistent. Decide upon a schedule that you can stick to, realistically, for the long term. It’s better to faithfully head to the gym twice per week, than to work out daily for a few weeks and then quit.

Use correct gym etiquette. No one wants to be “that person” – the one who no one wants to be near in a public space. Make a point to learn and utilize these basics of gym etiquette, so that you never wear out your welcome:

• Return equipment to its proper place
• Wipe down machines or other equipment after you use them
• Be considerate of others’ personal space
• Avoid long rest periods on machines; someone might be waiting for that one

Remember, we’re here to help as you continue to get healthier or lose weight. If you find that your results have stalled out, or you’ve hit a “plateau”, give us a call. We can help you continue to hone your nutrition plan and exercise routine, to achieve the results you want.