Is Your Workout Making You Fitter? Here’s How to Figure It Out

To a certain degree, everyone works out to achieve or maintain a certain physique. At the same time, you also want your exercise to have a more meaningful impact. In particular, you want to know that your fitness levels are improving with your current workout routine. 

Unfortunately, it isn’t always clear whether or not a particular regimen is actually helping you from a fitness perspective. So, how do you know that what you are doing is working? Well, here are all of the ways that you can come to a more conclusive answer…

Your Workout Becomes Easier to Complete

When you first started your workout, you probably found yourself winded rather easily. Or, you discovered that you could only complete a limited number of reps or handle lower weights. As your physical capabilities improve, though, going through your routine will actually become a lot easier. 

You may discover that you aren’t out of breath all that quickly. It could also be that you find yourself pushing yourself a little further with every workout. There is even a chance that you are reaching for heavier weights as well! 

This happens because your body is becoming better than it once was. While your muscles may once have had to push themselves, they are now strong enough to get you through your workout without too much effort. 

You Are Enjoying Better Quality Sleep

There is no denying that exercise has a very real impact on your sleep. For instance, as you begin to work out more and more, your body becomes more adept at producing a substance known as adenosine. This is what helps you to feel sleepy at your bedtime. 

Furthermore, when you exercise on a consistent basis, your circadian rhythm is maintained more regularly. Once again, this helps you to go to sleep at a certain time and wake up when needed. As a result, you can get more rest each night. 

So, have you noticed that you are able to fall asleep more easily? Perhaps your sleep quality has improved in general. Regardless, this is a good sign that your fitness levels are advancing and that your body is stronger than it ever was before. 

Your Resting Heart Rate is Lower 

You may have heard that athletes have lower resting heart rates than most people. However, if you have been working out for a while and are in better shape, there is a chance that your resting heart rate may have dropped as well. 

Understand, when you exercise, your heart has to work harder than usual to pump blood to other parts of your body. Now, the heart is just like any other muscle which means that it grows stronger the more that you exercise. It is this process that allows your heart to adapt to the physical activity. 

In short, your heart is becoming better equipped to handle workouts. Naturally, this means that your heart is even better at dealing with tasks that require minimal exertion. This is why your resting heart rate may be lower. 

So, how can you tell if your heart rate is slower than before? Well, relying on fitness trackers can certainly help. Most modern devices can track your heart rate and let you know whether it has reduced from previous readings.

 

Your Energy Levels Have Skyrocketed

What do you get when you add more sleep with improved heart health? Well, higher energy levels, of course! If you feel like you are able to get more done during the day, then there is a good chance that you have your improved physical capabilities to thank for that. 

Now, these higher vitality levels aren’t just a one-time thing, either. If you exercise regularly, you are bound to feel invigorated on most days. And, it isn’t just your physical energy that you can look forward to. 

Frequent workouts provide a mental boost as well. This helps you to focus more easily and to pay attention for a longer period of time. Best of all, you are bound to have an improved mood as well. Naturally, this will contribute to how good you feel each and every day. 

Your Pants Fit Differently 

Most people imagine that their clothes are going to be looser once they start working out. However, if you are focused on simultaneous fat loss and muscle gain, this obviously will not happen. This is why looser pants aren’t always the sign that you are looking for. 

Instead, pay attention to how your pants fit. For instance, are they easier to button up than they once were? Is there less excess fat getting in the way of the process? Also, think about how the material fits around your glutes and thighs. If they are tighter, it is probably a good thing – it means that your muscles have developed in these areas. 

You Are More Enthusiastic About Your Fitness 

Last, but certainly not least, your fitness levels can be judged about how enthusiastic you are about your workouts. If you look forward to exercising and constantly looking for ways to boost your workout, this is certainly a good sign. 

Not only has your body adapted to your current regimen, but it means that you are ready to push your body further. Furthermore, this eagerness means that you have made an important mental shift as well. In particular, you are no longer thinking of your workouts as something you have to do. Rather, you are focusing on them on something that you want to do. 

Of course, this is probably to do with the fact that your workouts aren’t as painful as they once were. Nevertheless, it is a good sign that you and your body are heading in the right direction. If you stick with it, you will only get fitter. 

There you have it – all of the ways to tell if you have become fitter. Once you have done your own self-examination, what have you discovered? Have you found out that all of your hard work has paid off and that you are now stronger and better than you once were? If so, congratulations! Even if you haven’t reached your goal just yet, keep trying as you will certainly get there.