Ever felt like all the work you do at private gyms is not paying off? You’ve been following the plan, trying to eat healthy, working out for longer, lifting heavy, and doing more cardio than you’ve ever done. The hours you put in the private gym and the relentless workouts do not seem to be proportional to the gains you can see.
Usually, it's not about working hard; it's about working smart. It’s like quality over quantity. Private gyms offer you the place and space to train smart. There are no long queues you have to navigate to use the equipment. There are no crowds to overwhelm you. You can utilize the services of a personal fitness trainer to guide you and stay motivated. They will also provide you with nutrition tips and understand your needs well before recommending a plan.
Private gyms are the best option if your goal is time-efficient, focused training. This blog aims to detail how you can train smart at private gyms and see better results.
Why Private Gyms Give You an Edge
Private gyms can be a game-changer if you have been working out and not seeing results in other gyms. For a beginner, commercial gyms can be intimidating. The rows of equipment and long queues in front of them can make you want to hightail it home.
Private gyms work differently. You will not have to wait to use any equipment. Clients have to book ahead, so the number of people in the gym at a time is limited. In the absence of crowds, there are fewer distractions. You will be able to focus better on the workout.
The environment is welcoming, and the staff will know you by name. The fitness trainers will ask questions to understand your goals and lifestyle. You have access to professional trainers who can recommend a customized plan. They will hold you accountable and keep you motivated. Having a fitness trainer will keep you consistent with your workouts. The enhanced accountability will ensure that even on days when getting out of bed seems a chore, you will turn up at the gym.
Private gyms are also more hygienic. They are particular about their standards and maintain a sanitation schedule.
Smart Training Principles to Apply
Train with a Plan
Always show up at the gym with a plan. When you make time for your workout at private gyms, make the best use of your time. The slot allotted to you has to be utilized in the most productive way possible. When you go to the gym without clarity on your workouts, you will expend time without being productive.
Also, understand your goals well and work accordingly. Your workout should be structured to your goals. Using all the equipment without a plan will not bring you the results you want. If you are unsure about how to structure your workout, utilize the services of private trainers in private gyms. They will be able to customize a plan for you. It is smarter to go to the gym with a coach-designed program or a pre-written plan.
Focus on Compound Movements
Compound movements are exercises that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. They are considered better than isolation movements, which engage only the targeted muscles. Compound movements are considered to be more effective for building overall strength. The involvement of multiple muscle groups entails increased calorie burn. The movements are also designed to improve functional fitness.
Compound movements are an efficient and comprehensive approach to fitness.
Use Progressive Overload
Progressive overload is ‘a training principle where you gradually increase the demands on your body during exercise to continue seeing improvements in strength, endurance, and muscle growth.’
Progressive overload is about consistently challenging your body to adapt and grow stronger. You start with a weight, number of reps, or duration that is manageable but challenging. Keep a record of your progress. Identify when the workout becomes more comfortable and less strenuous for you. That’s when you increase the challenge. Gradually increase the challenge by modifying the weights, reps, sets, or difficulty by a small margin each time. Keep the increase at around 5-10%.
Always pay attention to your body. Overexertion can cause strains and injuries.
Prioritize Recovery
When you work out in private gyms, you put your muscles through extreme stress. This stress causes micro-injuries in the muscles. Your rest days are when the muscle repairs itself; this is when the real building happens and the muscle grows. That is why it is important to prioritize recovery.
If you find yourself relentlessly training 24/7, you are only setting yourself up for exhaustion and injury. You will not see the results.
Time Management
When you go to the gym with a plan, you also need to stick to the prescribed time for the workout session. Time for the sets and the recovery time between sets have to be managed properly. Be focused on the plan and stick to it.
Time-Saving Tools and Tactics Available at Private Gyms
The first part of an efficient workout is the warm-up. In private gyms, there are zones specifically meant for warm-ups and cool-downs. This saves time waiting for areas to clear up and then getting your warm-up or cool-down in.
You have the option to choose the time for your workouts, so opt for times when the traffic is low in the gym. Pre-schedule your sessions for times when the gym is relatively less crowded.
Design your workouts with supersets and circuits for maximum efficiency. Circuits are good for building movement and stamina. They are great ways to train with weights, burn calories, and increase weight loss.
A smart way to track your progress is to use fitness apps. They can be pretty handy when it comes to exercises, monitoring your heart rate, giving you an idea of the calories you have burned, or the steps you have clocked. Some of the best models are akin to in-house body scanners that can be useful.
Private gyms have on-site coaches and staff who will always look out for all the clients. When they see incorrect form, they will correct it and advise you how to fix it. This saves time on bad reps and prevents injuries.
Sample “Maximized” 45-Minute Private Gym Session
Here is a sample workout that ticks all the boxes and is time-efficient.
Warm-up (5 minutes): Kickstart your workout with a warm-up. Include some dynamic stretches and mobility drills to warm the muscles and prepare them for the workout ahead.
Strength Training (25 minutes): The only way to build your body and strength is through strength training. Do 3-4 compound lifts, 3 sets each.
Conditioning/ HIIT (10 minutes): To increase your stamina and endurance, dedicate 10 minutes to sled pushes, rowing, or kettlebell circuits.
Cool-down and Mobility (5 minutes): Always end your session with a cool-down to lower the accelerated heart rate and do some mobility drills.
Mindset and Habits for Smart Training
The biggest secret of smart training is consistency. Yes, you read that right. Consistency is the most underestimated key to training. People want instant results and become demotivated when that does not happen. Smart training delivers results with patience, for there will be many roadblocks that you may have to overcome. But through it all, what matters is the consistency.
Always show up to the gym with a purpose. Focus on your goals when you train and don’t let distractions come in the way.
Record your progress diligently and modify your workouts accordingly.
Celebrate the small wins to keep you motivated. Private gyms foster this culture where everyone celebrates each other’s wins.
Last Rep
Private gyms are the best way to achieve better results faster. You need to be smart about the way you train. Get your workouts done smartly and efficiently. Engage the services of a fitness trainer and discuss your goals clearly. Follow the customized plan consistently. Check your progress and tweak your workouts accordingly. Make the best use of the time you have in the gym.
If you are a gym-goer, use the tips in this blog to audit your current routines. Be focused on your goals in the gym.
If you're looking for good private gyms in California, try Paragon Body and get ready for a transformation!