6 Insider Tips to Ensure You’re Working Out Hard Enough

Small Space Fitness: Cat Corchado

Hey there, it’s Cat Corchado here, diving into the world of small space Pilates and bringing you some insider tips on how to ensure you’re pushing yourself just enough in your workouts. It’s a question I get asked a lot: “Am I working out hard enough?” Well, fear not, because I’ve got some simple, yet super effective ways for you to check in with yourself and make sure your workout intensity is hitting that sweet spot.

6 Ways To Make Your Workout Hard Enough:

1. Listen To Your Body:

First up, let’s talk about the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE). This is all about tuning into how you feel on a scale of one to ten, where one feels like you’re practically lounging on the couch, and 10 means you’re giving it everything you’ve got. When practicing Pilates in your cozy corner, aim for an RPE between five and seven. This means you’re working hard enough to break a sweat and feel the burn, but you’re not overdoing it. Plus, you can still chat about your day without gasping for air.

2. Keep An Eye On Your Heart:

Heart rate monitoring is a fantastic way to objectively see how hard you’re working. Whether you’re using a basic heart rate monitor or a snazzy fitness tracker, aim to keep your heart thumping at 50-85% of your maximum heart rate. Quick tip: subtract your age from 220 to find your max heart rate. So, if you’re rocking your workouts at 40 years young, your target is around 180 BPM.

3. The Chit-Chat Challenge

Ever tried the talk test? It’s as simple as it sounds. If you can comfortably talk through your weight workout or cardio routine but can’t belt out your favorite tune, you’re in the moderate-intensity zone. If you’re puffing out a few words at a time, congratulations, you’ve hit the vigorous zone. No equipment needed, just your voice and a good workout.

4. Sweat Snd Breath: The Telltale Signs:

Your body gives off some pretty clear signals when you’re working out. If you’re getting a good, moderate sweat on and your breathing is quick but not too heavy, you’re doing great. But if you’re sweating buckets and struggling to talk, you’re pushing into that vigorous intensity. It’s all about finding that balance.

5. Quick On The Recovery:

Recovery rate is a fantastic indicator of your fitness level and if your workout is challenging enough. After wrapping up your Pilates session, notice how quickly your heart rate calms down. A swift drop within a minute or two is a sign of good cardiovascular health and that you’ve been working out at a good clip.

6. Embrace The Working Out Tech:

And let’s not forget about wearable technology. Today’s fitness trackers and smartwatches are like having a personal trainer on your wrist. They keep tabs on your heart rate, calories burned, and even how stressed you might be feeling. This personalized feedback is gold when it comes to tailoring your workouts to meet your fitness goals.

So there you have it, my top tips for making sure you’re working out at just the right intensity in your fitness practice. Remember, it’s all about listening to your body, keeping an eye on those heart rates, and maybe even embracing a bit of tech to keep you on track. Here’s to hitting those fitness goals in your own small space!

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