Five signs you blasted your workout

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 February 2010 13:43 Tuesday, 09 February 2010 20:30

How can you tell you've just completed the most intense and best workout you could could? That the last hour lifting iron wasn't a complete half hearted waste of time? That you accomplished something this time, that you didn't just slosh around the gym going through the routine?

1. The Shakes

Your last rep was filled with pain as you fought to maintain proper posture and control the weight. After leaving the weight down, your hands are still shaking from exertion. It should disappear quickly and you should not be feeling faint! Shaking can be a sign of low blood sugar levels, but the shake we're looking for is from pure utter muscle fatigue. When you hit this, you know you've blasted your muscles as much as you could. You just hit the right weight and the right rep count for maximum benefit.

2. Muscle Burn.

Calves, thighs and abs are the most common areas to receive muscle burn. The burn lasts 10-20 seconds and some gentle movement rids the area of the burn. It stings like hell but quickly dissipates. You reached the limit when you encounter muscle burn, particularly on calves, thighs and tricep exercises. Getting muscle burn on the bench press? Most likely a heart attack.

3. You did extra.

You normally do three sets of 12,10 and 8 reps. This time you hit the fourth set, grimacing and fighting your way in strict form through another six. You unwillingly roared completing the last lift. You just upped your game - now you feel totally weak and exhausted.

4. Sweat.

Rock hard sweat that drips off your forehead. Sweat means you tried. Hard. You didn't sit around for five minutes between lifts. Or make such a big show of adjusting weights that you cooled down. You went for it, shortening the time breaks and getting a mild cardio workout in the process. The heart beat faster, you worked harder, now you got the flex going on to prove it.

5. You could take on the muthafooking world.

You feel great. Tired but great .Endorphins have flooded your system making you happy, your confidence has grown, your discipline has reached a new level. Blood pumps to the extremeties,  fresh oxygen pumped by a strong heart into every core of your being. You didn't want to get off the couch and work out, but you did. You didn't want to increase the weight, but you did. You didn't want to rack out another set, but you did. Now you feel like you could set your mind to anything you want.

Rambo took on the world - but only after a great workout