Knowing what to do before the workout is the first step toward a good training session regardless of the activity you're going to engage in. Therefore, here are the mental and physical preparation strategies for ensuring your workouts' success and enjoyment:
Mental Preparation
Prior to starting the workout, you need to fully prepare your mind for the activity ahead. There are many ways you can do this. One effective way is to vividly visualize the full workout and go through any relevant details you find significant. For example: if you're planning to run, then you should have a clear scheme of the running terrain and other important factors such as duration and training intensity.
Another way you can prepare your mind for the exercise is to use a training journal. This will help you keep track of your training details and progress. Checking out with your training journal before heading out of the door gives your mind a clear set of instructions and commands to follow. This happens on an unconscious level so you don't even need to think about it. That's why it's highly recommended to keep your health goals clearly inscribed on your training journal, so each time you plan for a workout, you get a quick glimpse of the reasons why you're doing what you're doing. This definitely enhances motivation and stimulates performance.
Here are some of the few elements you need to plan with your training journal before:
- What type of workout is on schedule? Are you going for run, or you just heading to the gym;
- The duration of the training;
- Do you have any aches or pains from the last workout? If so, you may need to take it slowly or even take the day off if it is an option;
- What is your energy level? If you started the day feeling totally exhausted, this either means that you haven't fully recovered from the previous workout or you're lacking energy intake;
- Your running goals and progress;
- Or any other training details you may possibly need.
Physical Preparation
This phase is about preparing your body for the workout. For starters, you need to check whether you need any special accessories or not. For me, a pair of running shoes and a heart monitor are a must. Therefore, I highly advise you to get your training gear ready and in the clear the night before the workout, this is especially true if you tend to exercise in the morning.
Your diet is another aspect of the physical preparation phase. In general, your calorie intake depends on personal goals and the type of the workout on schedule. For example, if you are planning to do a cardio workout for more than an hour followed by a weight training session, then you make sure to have enough energy in your system in order to sustain the intense activity; otherwise, your performance and well-being will suffer greatly. And you won't have much energy and desire to carry on with the training.
Of course, the above tips are just mere suggestions. Therefore, don't feel the need to follow them verbatim. Instead use some common sense and alter them according to your own needs.
