4 Secrets to Maximize Your Workouts

It’s time for another installment of our exciting new series of guest posts from some of the awesome fitness professionals at BeFiT. Each month, these good folks will be bringing you tips, workouts and more to help you be your fittest! Such as this post with how to make the most of each workout you do — perfect for You Can Do It Week!

About Allie Cohen

Fitness and bootcamp expert Allie Cohen believes that health is wealth and when you feel your best, everything in life is more enjoyable. NCCPT and CPR certified, Allie is leading the BeFit System 101 series and has previously led their dynamic Transform series. When not teaching at Barry’s Bootcamp LA, she travels to train clients and leads fitness classes for major fitness apparel brands. Allie has made television appearances dancing for major artists such as Pitbull and Shakira and appeared in videos with Mary J Blige and CeeLo. Fashion is also a passion inside and outside the gym — Allie loves to express herself through her unique style even while breaking a sweat.

4 Tips to Maximize Your Workout

In today’s world, fitness is becoming more important to people and there are now so many different ways to break a sweat. Whether it’s yoga, boot camp, kickboxing, HIIT or a barre class, there is really something for everyone! I believe there are a few key things that can determine how your workout will be one that makes an impression not only physically, but mentally as well.

1. Rhythm is a dancer. Music is such an important element to any workout and if you choose something that has music you like, it will make the workout fly by and also give your mind the help it needs to push harder. If you are taking a group fitness class, try every teacher until you find the one that speaks your language of music. If you are doing a home workout, make a playlist on your computer of your favorite songs. It should be music that you want to dance to, songs that you hear and want to sing the lyrics to!

If you are just getting into the groove of a new workout, make sure to try my new BeFit101 series:

2. Dedication is key. If you have trouble committing to people or plans, let the workout be the exception. You may find that if you are more disciplined with your workout it will transfer into your social life, making you more accountable. You have to make the time to do it. No one has the perfect schedule or the most time — they make the time. If you only have 20 minutes, that’s great! Dedicate time six days a week for your workout. Treat it as an important meeting you have to go to.

3. Get ready for it. I think it’s important to have workout clothes you actually like and want to wear. There are so many cute workout lines these days. If you can find outfits you like to wear, it will make getting ready for the workout more exciting. I know it sounds silly, but it’s not. You wouldn’t want to go to your best friend’s birthday party in an outfit you didn’t like. Feel confident before the workout even begins. Keep in mind, you want to be comfortable. If you need help on that, I am always posting outfit ideas on my Instagram, @alliecohen.

4. Social butterfly. If you are a beginner and new to working out, my advice would be to find a workout buddy. Find a friend with similar goals to yours. It is great to have someone to help give you a push start and keep yourself accountable. Also, if you need to make plans with a friend, do it over a workout. I love going on a hike with a friend to catch up. This is also great for a romantic kind of relationship. If you are someone who is single and dating, suggest a hike. If you are in a relationship, it is important to have your significant other on board for your healthy lifestyle. Bring them to your workouts and make sure you also take interest in what they like to do for working out every once in awhile. Heck, you could even do this workout together at home!

Working out is a lifestyle. It is part of our everyday routine. Be bold. Be confident. Be fierce. —Allie Cohen

*Not all exercises are suitable for everyone. You are responsible for exercising within your limits and seeking medical advice and attention as appropriate. BeFit, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates are not responsible for any injuries that result from participating in the exercises described herein.