Better Bodies

For some of us, morning workouts come naturally. Others might struggle to get out of bed earlier to hit the gym. If that sounds like you, there’s good news! There are a few simple ways you can turn a morning workout from a dreaded task into something you look forward to. Once you’ve made a habit of lifting in the morning, you might never want to go back. Suddenly, early workouts become your best friend. So, whether it’s packing your gym clothes early or carefully planning your workout, here is how you can set yourself up for success when switching to an A.M. routine. Gym Clothes Pack Your Bag the Night Before The key to a successful morning workout is starting your day on the right foot. When you first wake up, the idea of packing your bag and getting ready to hit the gym might persuade you to go back to sleep instead. Why not prepare your clothes and gear beforehand? Take some time the night before to gather everything you need for the next day. That way, you can wake up and be out...

While persistence and dedication get you to the gym every day, motivation can be what helps you lift that extra rep or hit a new PR. Lifting isn’t a passive activity. As a bodybuilder, you want to ignite that fire inside you, power through every obstacle, and smash every doubt. No matter whether you just started your fitness journey a month ago or you’ve been bodybuilding for a decade, you need a source of inspiration. The right quotes are a perfect way to find what you’re looking for. These words ring true in your ears and turn the fire in you from embers into a roaring blaze. Next time you consider dropping the bar and quitting before finishing your set, tighten your gym gloves , recite one of these three quotes, and give it all you have.  Gym Clothes “Fall Down Seven Times, Get Back Up Eight” This Japanese proverb is quoted in many different situations, sometimes with the wording slightly varied. But the message is always the same. If you get back up every time you fall, there...

Many bodybuilders have trouble taking rest days. It’s something simple that seems so wrong to many. If you aren’t training, are you gaining? You might want to put on your gym clothes and not skip a single day when you could be training and getting closer to a PR, but you must give your body time to recuperate. Rest helps your body recover and come back stronger. That way, you can get back to the gym and keep making gains. Here’s what you need to know about rest days. Gym Clothes Why You Should Take a Rest Simply put, your body needs to rest. If you continually train at a high intensity day after day, chances are good you will burn out. Your body just can’t handle it. If you are training for competition using peaks and tapers, you may experience decreased strength if you don’t take a break and give your body a rest. Conversely, you may not be training hard enough if you train every day of the week and don’t feel like you need a rest. That doesn’t mean you should be lifting until your...

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to commit to the bodybuilding lifestyle? Have you been buying new gym clothes in anticipation of hitting the gym hard, getting the training sessions in, and becoming serious about hitting PRs? Then there are a few tips you can follow that will help you fully commit and have a better time with the iron sport. Whether you’re new to bodybuilding or are finally making the commitment after hitting the gym every so often, these tips are for you.  Join a Community If you have been going to the gym but are now fully committing to the lifestyle, you have probably seen people wearing the same gym wear or brand. Wearing the same brand gives a better sense of community and can help you identify people who share the same ideals in the gym. For example, people wearing Better Bodies’ clothes have, like you, fully committed to the bodybuilding lifestyle and won’t accept compromises. It’s an inclusive community that helps each other hit PRs, exchanges new re...

Training sessions aren’t easy. By the time you leave the gym, you should be sweaty and exhausted. But what happens when you want to turn the intensity to 11 and push your limits? If things are feeling too easy and you want to increase your intensity, you might need to make a few changes to how you approach bodybuilding. Pull on your black camo leggings and follow these tips to crank up the intensity. Slow Down and Use Tension While there is room for explosiveness during training sessions, you should also make time for slower, smoother reps. The goal is to increase your time under tension, something that legendary bodybuilders have done for decades to increase intensity. You can keep the same weight and do the same lift while slowing the entire rep down. You will want gym gloves to steady your grip, making it easier to hold your weights during the slower reps. You want to put as much stress on your muscles as you can handle. Slow down your rep tempo or add a pause at the to...

There comes a point in every bodybuilder’s training where they hit a plateau. You might go for a lift that you should, in theory, be able to hit compared to previous numbers. Then gravity reminds you that your muscles just aren’t there yet, from the bar moving too slowly off your chest to the deadlift that you just can’t lockout. It’s a disappointing feeling that might make you want to throw your clothes in your gym duffle bag and head out, defeated, but there’s always your next gym trip. If the next time results in the same thing, you might have hit your plateau. Whether it’s your first or just the most recent plateau, know that there are ways through. Here are a few tips to help.  Take a Minute to Reassess   While you may be set in your ways, it’s a good idea to take a minute to step back and reassess your training regimen. Consistency is key and can mean results. On the other hand, neglecting certain aspects of your training can show in your strength and size....