No matter how dedicated you may be to regular exercise, your body won’t show the obvious results unless you’re properly targeting trouble zones. The place to start is deciding what kinds of results you want to show. Whether you’re after defined abs, sculpted shoulders and biceps, or tight glutes, you can tailor a workout to target those areas and give you more visible results.
“We’re overwhelmed by new studies, fad workouts, and polarizing noise on social media,” says Michelle Lovitt, strength and conditioning coach. “It can be confusing to know what works best for you.”
Your body fat is disguising your sculpted muscles
For people who are after a six-pack, the key is low body fat. If you have a thick layer of subcutaneous body fat covering your belly, then no amount of abdominal exercises alone can give you a visible six-pack.
You need to look at healthier eating to reduce unnecessary calories and reduce your body fat. Try to eat more lean grass-fed meats, freshly caught wild fish, as well as organic fruits and vegetables. At the same time, cut out bread and pasta, fatty cuts of meat, sugar-laden snacks, and processed snack foods.
You need to focus on form not just intensity
When performing your exercises, if you are hastily trying to fit in a certain number of repetitions and allowing your form to get sloppy then you will not achieve your desired results. There are reasons why certain postures, stances, and forms are important. The proper form assures that all targeted muscle groups are engaged.
When you forgo proper form and just focus on repetition, you are likely not activating all the muscles you were hoping to. Consequently, you may be sweaty and tired but some of those important muscles got no workout at all.
You need to work out progressively
Many fitness programs are not successful because they are not progressive. Progressive exercising forces your body to work harder little by little each time. This doesn’t have to mean super long workouts or using heavy weights. It is more about challenging the muscle groups of the body to improve. This can be done by increasing resistance, slowing down each repetition, adding extra exercise sets, using static holds, using inclines, or cross-training.
Additional tips
· If you find yourself frequently switching between different workouts, keep a written or digital log to make sure you’re not overdoing one particular type of activity.
· If you are unable to make it to an exercise class or the gym, be sure to have a backup workout plan that can be done at home and still target the same muscle groups.
· If you have a favorite type of workout that doesn’t necessarily target your trouble zones, still find time to fit it into your week because it will help you remember that staying fit can be fun.
—The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/seeing-workout-results?adbid=585528793340715009&adbpl=tw&adbpr=25087685&cid=socFit_20150407_43344036
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/fitness-mistakes-slow-weight-loss
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ab-training-6-reasons-your-abs-arent-showing.html
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/troubleareas.htm
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/6-muscles-didnt-know-firm
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/tighten-derriere-muscle-building-squats
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/do-this-for-great-biceps
