Why Do I Only Feel Stronger In The Gym On Some Days? Answers Here
Getting motivated to go to the gym can often be a task in itself, but for many of us, some days are better than others. You know that feeling you get when you finally make it to the weights section and have a sense of focus and determination mixed with a hint of excitement?
It’s common for athletes to experience peaks and lulls throughout their fitness journey, but why do only certain workouts seem to pack more punch than usual? What makes these more productive days stand out from the rest?
In this blog post, we’ll explore what goes on behind the scenes and take an in-depth look at why some of your workouts leave you feeling stronger and others can have you wondering why you bothered at all.
Why do I only feel stronger in the gym on some days?
Eating the right foods, hydrating regularly, and having adequate recovery time between workouts can all help to ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit from each session. When it comes to pre-workout meals, nutrient timing is key for providing energy and preventing fatigue during exercise. Eating a combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats will ensure the body has enough fuel to complete its workout. Recovery is also a key factor in making sure we’re ready for each workout session. Muscles need time to repair and rebuild following intense training, so taking rest days or light exercise days to recover can really help to increase strength and performance when it’s needed most. Sleep is also vitally important when it comes to overall performance in the gym. Getting proper rest helps to ensure our bodies are ready to perform at their best, so make sure you’re getting enough quality sleep each night. The intensity of your workout plays an important role as well. If you’re pushing yourself too hard for too long, it can wear down your body and ultimately lead to burnout or injury. So it’s important to find a balance between pushing yourself and giving your body a break when needed. Additionally, the time of day that you exercise can have an impact on performance as well. Working out in the morning or later in the evening can give you more energy and help to optimize strength gains. Finally, programming is essential for ensuring you’re consistently challenging yourself and progressing in the gym. Having a well-structured workout plan is key for helping to maximize performance, so make sure you have a program that aligns with your goals and is tailored to your level of experience.
It can be very frustrating to have a great workout one day and then struggle the next, so let’s find out why this is happening so you can make the most of your training sessions.
Nutrition
Nutrition is crucial for optimizing performance in the gym. Making sure you have enough protein, carbohydrates and fats in your diet will help to keep you energized throughout the day and ensure you’re ready for whatever comes your way. Plus, eating healthy snacks between meals can help to provide extra energy when needed.
Some examples of healthy protein, carbohydrates and fats include lean meats, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Keeping on top of your diet will have a massive bearing on your overall performance in the gym, so take the time to plan ahead and make sure you’re providing your body with the nutrients it needs to stay energized.
Think about it, if you have been eating junk food or generally have a poor diet, then you are much more likely to feel sluggish in the gym. If you’re still young, perhaps you can get away with eating whatever your heart desires. However, as I’ve come to find out, the older we get becomes increasingly important to eat a healthy diet if we want our workouts to be effective and successful.
Pre-workout fuel
Having the right fuel ahead of a workout is also essential for helping you to perform at your best. Eating a combination of proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats will provide your body with energy while preventing fatigue during exercise.
Ideally, try to have a pre-workout meal around 1-2 hours before your session. This will give your body enough time to digest the food and put it to use so your body is ready to perform.
Some examples of healthy pre-workout snacks include nuts, Greek yoghurt, and whole-grain toast with almond butter.
Failure to have a pre-workout meal can leave you feeling weak or sluggish during your session and could lead to reduced performance.
Think of your body as a machine similar to a car in the sense that the better you look after yourself nutrition-wise, the better you will be able to perform…just like a well-maintained car performs better when it’s regularly serviced and looked after.
Hydration
Staying well-hydrated is also very important when it comes to maximizing performance in the gym. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and lack of energy, so make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day.
Experts recommend drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day and even more during exercise. This will help to keep your body hydrated and prevent fatigue during strenuous workouts.
Failure to stay hydrated throughout the day and during workouts may lead to decreased performance in the gym, as well as headaches, muscle cramping and other unpleasant symptoms…so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water.
You can also try electrolyte drinks to help keep your body fueled during long and strenuous workouts, as these can provide you with additional energy and ensure your body is in tip-top condition.
Glycogen stores
To perform at our best, we need to make sure our glycogen stores are replenished after each workout. Glycogen is a type of carbohydrate stored in the muscles and liver that can be used as energy during exercise.
Eating foods rich in carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes will help to fill up your glycogen stores and ensure you’re ready for each workout session. Eating carbohydrates before a workout can also help to provide energy during exercise, so try eating something like a banana or some toast with peanut butter about an hour before your workout.
Making sure your glycaemic index is topped up can make all the difference in the world when it comes to exercise performance, so make sure you’re taking the time to eat properly and stay well-fueled.
Failure to do so may result in fatigue and poor performance, so make sure you’re taking the time to eat the right foods and focus on eating a balanced diet for optimal performance in the gym.
Recovery and sleep
Getting proper rest and recovery is essential for providing your body with enough time to repair and recover from intense workouts. Having adequate rest days will help ensure that your muscles have had enough time to rebuild so that when you’re ready to hit the gym again you can perform at your best.
It’s not just about getting enough sleep, it’s also about allowing your body enough time to rest and recover after each workout. Taking a few days off from the gym every now and then will help to ensure that you’re well-rested and ready for your next session.
Eating the right food, having downtime for recovery, and staying hydrated are all key components to making sure you have maximum performance in the gym.
When it comes to sleep, getting at least 7 or 8 hours each night is recommended for optimal performance in the gym. Not only does it help you recover from workouts physically, but it also helps to clear your mind and keep you focused on your goals.
Sleep is essential for recovering from workouts as it promotes the mending of muscle tissue that has been damaged throughout your exercise. Without a good night’s rest, achieving optimum recovery would be impossible!
Get into the habit of winding down before bedtime and make the effort to go to bed that little bit earlier. This will help you get the most out of your workouts and ensure that you’re feeling strong and energized each time you hit the gym!
Workout intensity
It’s important to think about the intensity of your workouts. You may find that some days you feel like you can take on the world and push yourself to your limits, while other days you just don’t have the energy or motivation.
It’s important to listen to your body and understand what type of workout intensity is best for you on any given day. If you’re feeling good and energized, then go for it and push yourself to your limits…but if you’re feeling fatigued or run down, then take it easy and focus on form rather than intensity.
The human body is a very complex organism which can not run at 100% all the time. There are so many varying factors involved (which we are talking about here) that can affect performance in the gym. The most important thing to remember is that listening to your body and understanding what it needs on any given day is key to getting the maximum benefit from each workout session.
This doesn’t mean that you should avoid intense workouts altogether, as they can be beneficial in helping you reach your goals. Just be sure to pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust your workouts accordingly.
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Time of workout
The time of day that you choose to exercise can also affect your performance. Some people might prefer the morning while others might want to work out later in the day.
If you’re feeling energized and motivated, then it’s best to take advantage of this and get your workouts done during these times. However, if you find you’re more fatigued or unmotivated during certain times of the day, then it might be best to switch up your routine and exercise at a different time.
Understanding what works best for you is important when it comes to optimizing performance in the gym. Make sure to experiment and find out which time of day provides you with the most energy and motivation, and use this to your advantage!
I tend to find that if you are a morning person, the earlier you can get in the gym, the better. However, if you’re an afternoon or evening person, then it’s best to wait until your energy levels peak and go for it then.
By understanding why some days you feel stronger in the gym than others, you can ensure that you are maximizing your performance every single time.
Programming
Your training program should be tailored to your individual needs and goals. If you want to focus on strength, then you’ll need a different program than someone who wants to increase their endurance.
If you’re finding that the routine you’re currently doing is not providing the results or feeling of progress that you were hoping for, then it may be time to switch things up and try something new.
This is very important especially if your workouts are very inconsistent. If you find yourself feeling fatigued or unmotivated for a few days in a row, then it’s likely that your program needs to be tweaked.
For example, if you’re doing a lot of strength training, then it may be beneficial to incorporate more rest days or lighter workouts between heavy sessions. This will help ensure that your body is getting the recovery time it needs while still allowing you to progress towards your goals.
By taking the time to review your program and make sure it is tailored perfectly for your needs, you can ensure that each workout session is providing maximum benefit.
Daily schedule
We all have a lot going on in our daily lives from day to day and the stresses that come with it can have an effect on our bodies in the gym.
Worrying about finances, work, or family can lead to elevated levels of the hormone cortisol. This can increase fatigue and make it difficult to focus when it comes time to exercise.
Cortisol is a stress hormone that is naturally released when our body senses danger. It can be beneficial in the short term to help us deal with stressful situations, however, it can also have negative effects on our health and performance if it becomes too high for too long.
It’s important to have lifestyle habits in place that can help reduce stress levels and keep cortisol in check. Some strategies may include getting adequate sleep, meditating, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.
By reducing stress levels and keeping hormones balanced, you can help ensure that each gym session is as productive and energizing as possible.
Overtraining
It’s important to make sure that you’re not overtraining. Too many workouts in a short period of time can lead to physical and mental fatigue which will hinder your performance and motivation in the gym.
As we have mentioned, it’s important to give yourself time to rest and recover between workouts so that you can come back feeling energized and ready to tackle the next session.
It’s also important to make sure that you are challenging yourself, but not pushing too hard. If your workouts are becoming increasingly difficult and you find yourself feeling unmotivated or exhausted throughout the day, then it may be time to take a step back and reassess your routine.
Constantly pushing yourself to the limit will lead to burnout, which can sap any vitality and enthusiasm you possess. To make sure all your workouts are equally fulfilling, ensure that you give yourself enough rest between each session as well as challenge your body appropriately.
Mental
Are you feeling mentally prepared for each workout? Mental clarity and motivation are just as important as physical fitness when it comes to maximizing your workouts.
It can be helpful to remind yourself of why you started working out in the first place and what goals you’re trying to achieve. This will help keep you motivated during those moments when it feels like too much effort.
It’s also important to have an action plan for each workout session so that you can stay focused and on track with your goals. Knowing exactly what exercises you’ll be doing and how long each set should take will help keep your mind from wandering, allowing you to get the most out of each exercise.
In addition, it can also be helpful to reward yourself with small treats or incentives after each workout session as a way of encouraging continued motivation.
By taking the time to ensure your mental and physical health is in check, you can make sure that every workout is an opportunity for growth and success.
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People and emotions
Let’s get one thing clear, we are emotional beings that will experience a range of feelings throughout the day. It is important to acknowledge this and be aware that our moods can have an impact on how we perform in the gym.
If you’re feeling anxious or depressed it can be difficult to get motivated for your workout session, so it’s important to focus on doing things that make you feel good.
It may also be helpful to surround yourself with positive people who will support and encourage you, as well as remind you of your goals and why it’s important to keep going.
Finally, it is important to remember that everyone has good days and bad days in the gym, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you have an off day.
By understanding and addressing the mental, physical, and emotional aspects of your workouts, you can make sure you are getting the most out of every session.
Keep a log
Another great way to ensure that you are getting the most out of each workout session is to keep a log of your activities and progress.
Tracking your workouts, nutrition and recovery time will help you stay focused on achieving your goals and provide valuable feedback regarding what works for you and what doesn’t. This information can then be used to better tailor your workouts and nutrition plan in order to get better results.
Small and manageable progressions in intensity, volume and exercise selection will help you to get the most out of your workouts and make sure that each session is both challenging and enjoyable.
With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can be sure to maximize the benefit of every workout session.
Final thoughts…
By following these tips, you can make sure that each workout session is an opportunity for growth and success.
Eating the right foods, hydrating regularly, and having adequate recovery time between workouts will help to keep your body fueled and ready for action. It’s also important to take into consideration the mental, physical and emotional aspects that can affect your performance.
Finally, tracking your workouts and progress will help you to stay motivated and focused on achieving your goals. With a little bit of effort and planning, you can be sure to make the most out of each workout session. Good luck!
Do you only feel stronger on some days and have these tips helped? Let us know in the comments below.
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