Gym & Fitness Tip 7 :
Constant State of Readiness
While most of these tips are geared around pre- and postworkout times, there are some things you can do at different times of the day to get the most out of your workouts.
22. Don't drop dietary cholesterol too low
>> We know cholesterol is important for maintaining testosterone levels, but Kent State University (Ohio) scientists reported at the 2005 Experimental Biology Conference that older adults eating a diet higher in cholesterol while weight training for 12 weeks gained 55% more strength and had more than five times the muscle growth as those following a diet lower in cholesterol. Keep some cholesterol in your diet by eating at least 1-2 egg yolks with your egg whites at breakfast and at least one meal of lean red meat each day. Liver, shellfish and duck are other good sources of healthy cholesterol.
23. If your schedule allows, lift in the evening
>> Researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) discovered that when subjects worked out after 6 p.m. for 10 weeks, they gained more muscle and lost more bodyfat than a group that trained before 10 a.m.
24. Relax in a sauna or hot tub every day
>> Japanese researchers reported that rats exposed to a heat chamber set at 105 degrees F for two weeks increased muscle mass by 13% compared to those that weren't exposed to the heat. They concluded the results are likely due to the effect of heat shock proteins (specific proteins in the body that get released when exposed to heat) on cellular mechanisms of muscle growth.
25. Drink four cups of tea during the day
>> Researchers from University College (London) found that when test subjects were faced with a stressful task, those who drank 4 cups of black tea each day for six weeks had cortisol levels that were almost half of those who drank a placebo. Since exercise is a stressor that increases your cortisol levels, drinking tea can help keep this catabolic hormone lower after workouts, clearing the path to greater growth.
Cruising through a set of heavy squats may not be as tough as actually finding enough time in your day to get yourself to the gym. If that's the case, you need to take every step possible to make sure you get your money's worth while you're there. Every set - every rep - is an investment in your physique, and you don't have the capital to waste on bad workouts. It's a commitment you've made to yourself, and as the saying goes, anything worth doing is worth doing right.