Working out is fun, it’s challenging, and most importantly, it’s highly rewarding. However, to get the rewards you’re hoping for, you need to work hard. That’s why seasoned athletes are constantly trying to find new ways to optimize their workouts in order to change their life in and out of the gym for the better, and reach their goals faster, if in any way possible.

Likewise, people who are just starting out are always looking for ways to get better at training in order to progress towards their goals at a faster pace. Whether your particular goal is to become one strong earthling, or to sculpt a Hollywood physique, there are plenty of things you can do to maximize your workout in and out of the gym. Here’s what you should do.

Bring a solid battle plan to the gym

It all begins with a plan of attack. In order to have an amazing workout each and every time, and to actually achieve something, you need to know what you’re doing. Sadly, only a handful of experienced people at the gym have a long-term goal that’s backed with a science-based approach to training that will get them the results they’re looking for. You want to be one of those people in order to crush your workouts, recover for the next training session, and fall in love with the fitness lifestyle in general.

Firstly, understand what you’re trying to achieve. Every goal deserves a different approach to training, so don’t expect to maximize your muscle building potential by training like a powerlifter. Likewise, don’t expect to get strong by running on a treadmill and doing burpees all days long. Instead, tailor your training routine to your goals and you will fall in love with the process.

Fill up your phone with quality tunes

There are a lot of people out there who don’t even notice the music at the gym, nor do they care if they train in complete silence or next to a boombox. Great, let them do their thing. Just remember, it’s pretty hard to give it your all in training or crush a squat PR with Adele setting fire to the rain next to you. No, you need to put your earbuds in and listen to some quality tunes that move your entire body and soul.

Listening to music is empowering, it’s a rush, and it can kick-start the adrenaline in your body to transform you into a beast. Use it to “hype yourself up’ before and during every training session, and make the most out of your workouts by becoming mentally and physically focused.

Rock all the right equipment

If there has ever been a way to make yourself feel good and look good in training, then it’s by wearing the right gym clothes and sporting the right gym equipment for your style of training. The right gym clothes can make all the difference in the quality of your workouts, simply because it’s made to maximize blood flow, preserve body temperature, and allow for unimpeded range of motion.

Athletic clothing is nowadays becoming more functional than every before, with heat-preserving puffer jackets allowing athletes to train in every weather condition and compression clothing supporting healthy blood flow through the body to improve muscle activation while keeping you safe during training. It’s this kind of equipment that can allow you to take your fitness game to the next level, so ditch that plain cotton T-shirt and your smelly sweatshirt for the clothing that actually helps you achieve your goals.

Carb up and drink plenty of water

Nutrition is a major part of the fitness lifestyle, and it can literally make or break your every workout. This is why you need to pay attention to what you eat prior to training, and how much you hydrate during your workouts. Eating enough slow-releasing carbs such as oats or pasta can give you the sustained drive you need to go that extra mile in training, and drinking plenty of water during can help you maintain performance without experiencing any lightheadedness or a sudden loss of energy.

Replace static stretching with dynamic warmups

Static stretching is good for the body, there is no doubt about that, but only if you use it properly and at the right time. Static stretching is not, however, a good way to warm up for a workout. By taking your sweet time to hold a stretch, you’re actually relaxing your muscle and connective tissues, causing your body to cool down and become sluggish.

This is no way to pump blood into your muscles, break up a sweat, and get your motor units firing for the workout ahead – which you should be doing instead. With that in mind, be sure to leave the static stretches for your post-workout routine and use dynamic movements for your warmups. You will immediately feel a surge in energy, which will allow you to crush your workout without risk of injury.

Final thoughts

You could just head over to the gym, spend some time on the elliptical, and go home. But that’s not how you achieve great fitness goals. In order to make your fitness journey as rewarding as possible, you need to maximize your every workout, so be sure to use these tips in order to become the athlete you deserve to be.