Pro Tips to Power up Your Workouts and Burn More Calories ...

High Intensity Interval Training is one of my latest favorite exercises, and a great way to power up your workouts. I used to actually hate this form of exercise, until I saw the changes in my body. You’ll not only work up a sweat doing HIIT, but also get in a fantastic, short workout, which is great if you’re on a tight schedule.

Are you a cardio queen? I sure used to be, and still sort of am, I admit. Cardio boosts endorphins, burns calories, and makes you feel accomplished, but it isn’t the only type of workout you need to do. Be sure to add in some weights or weight bearing exercises to your workouts and really take things up a notch. Use hand weights to do squats and lunges with, arm toning exercises, and even sit-ups and crunches with. They will add resistance to your workouts, and in the process, tone your muscles and strengthen your entire body.

Not only should you be doing different exercises aside from cardio, but you should also be mixing up the kinds you do. For instance, run one day, walk the next, and hop on the elliptical another. Then, throw in an HIIT workout one day, a yoga workout the next, and maybe an arm and leg weight workout another day. Changing up your exercise routines is a great way to power up your workouts, improve your flexibility, and help you burn more calories.

Don’t dare go to a workout without having eaten something smart an hour or two beforehand. Not only will your workouts suffer, but it hurts your metabolism. Be sure you fill up on something smart like a healthy source of fat, protein, and carbs, and keep portions small to prevent getting sick during your workout. Burpees are no fun on a full tummy, dear!

Here’s a great tip for adding a little pep to your step during workouts: use a booster! What’s a booster? Not a caffeine or sugary-filled energy drink, dear! Try natural boosters like maca powder in a smoothie beforehand, or perhaps a tablespoon of raw coconut oil in your smoothies. This is a great way to give your body raw, premium nutrition, and both are a fantastic source of energy.

It’s essential to get enough rest for your workouts so you can give them your very best. Never head into a workout exhausted. Not only will you hurt your muscles, but you also won’t get an efficient workout. Be sure to get plenty of rest the nights before and after your workouts. You’ll have more energy, and recover faster if you do. Getting enough rest also prevents metabolic syndrome, which makes you gain weight. When you don't get enough rest, your metabolism slows and will hold onto extra fat to maintain energy levels. Getting plenty of rest lets your body know that it doesn't need to do this, and your metabolism will increase, as a benefit.

Another great tip for powering up your workouts is to get a partner. A new trend in exercising is to use partners for resistance training. As you pull and push against each other through ankle leg lifts or different types of abdominal exercises, you burn more calories than if you did these on your own. If you don’t have a partner, then feel free to go solo, but if you can grab a friend and head to your workout together, it can enhance your workouts when you use each other's body weight as additional training.

Working out is a great way to reduce stress, and it prevents everything from overeating to obesity. The important thing to know when working out is to consistently challenge yourself so you stay on top of the game, and give your muscles the workout they really want! Do you have any tips for powering up your workout? What are they?