Family Encyclopedia >> Sports

Should you train harder?

Keep getting the most out of your workout. Be honest and stay alert for the following signs that may indicate that your training has become too easy.

1. Your heart rate is not going up Your heart rate is a good indicator of whether your training is hard enough, especially with cardio. Do you think you give everything? Research from the University of Bath shows that when athletes think they are giving everything, in reality they can often give even more. Maybe your training isn't too easy, but you're making it too easy on yourself. Be honest with yourself. Afterwards you will feel extra good when you know that you really gave everything.

Hint: Don't have a sports watch with which you can measure your heart rate? Then count yourself how many times your heart beats in six seconds and add a zero. Not completely accurate, but useful for estimating your heart rate. Some smartphones also have a heart rate monitor.

2. You can do a lot of repetitions with ease
During strength training, it is better to look at the number of repetitions you can do. Can you do more than ten reps with ease? Then it might be a good time to add some extra weight.

3. You don't feel your muscles working
If you don't feel the correct muscle group burning while doing the exercise, it may be advisable to work on your technique. You get better at some exercises the more often you do them, the exercise also becomes a lot more effective with the right technique.

Hint: It's good to change your fitness regime every now and then, but only after you've stuck to your current routine for about four to six weeks.

Read also: 5 ways to make your training harder