5 Tricks That Make Your Workout Way More Effective
Don’t let the heat of the summer interfere with your exercise routine. (Photo: Arthur Belebeau)
If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome, then sticking to the same exercise routine in hopes of a better body is nuts.
Here are five ways to mix it up and increase your calorie burn, for crazy-good results.
1. Let your playlist break up your run. “Every time the chorus of a song comes on, pause in place and hop your knees up to your waist—or higher if you can—on the beat. Start running again when the chorus is over and repeat the routine every other song,” says celebrity trainer Taryn Toomey.
Related: Can You Exercise Your Way to Better Sex?
2. Distract yourself. “When we’re watching a video, studies show that we have a lower rate of perceived exertion, so we work out harder,” says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak.
3. Keep your body guessing. “Constantly change the speed or incline of the machine you’re on—if it’s the treadmill, for example, every 30 seconds to a minute, increase it by 0.1 or 0.2 so your body is forced to adapt,” says celebrity trainer Justin Gelband.
Related: The Prettiest Date-Night Makeup Looks
4. Pepper strength training with high-intensity cardio. In between every set of bicep curls or lunges, get your heart rate up. Celebrity trainer David Kirsch recommends a few sets of 20 jumping jacks, three minutes of jumping rope, or ten burpees (stand, jump forward into a squat, then jump up into a standing position).
5. Stay cool. “Our bodies burn more calories in the cold because it takes more energy to heat ourselves back up,” says Pasternak, who recommends keeping a workout room at around 66 degrees or exercising outside on a brisk morning. (This doesn’t mean you have to ditch your hot-yoga class—just know that the heat is keeping your muscles flexible, not torching extra calories.)
By Kayleigh Donahue
More from Allure:
The Most Flattering Haircuts for Women in Their 40s
Why Working Out Isn’t the Key to Weight Loss
10 Celebrity Hairstyles That Will Make You Look 10 Years Younger
The Most Embarrassing ‘90s Beauty Trends
