How long it takes to see results from a workout

Words: Divya Venkataraman Producer: Bianca Farmakis in partnership with

When you're at the start of a new workout, it can feel a bit like you're Sisyphus pushing the rock up the hill: progress feels far away, and you feel doomed to keep repeating the same reps every morning, for eternity.

Thankfully this isn’t the case, as personal trainer Max Dimarco reveals. But there are a few factors at play. Here at the answers to common questions about workout results.

First and foremost, what do results even mean?

It’s important to consider what ‘results’ means to you: is it weight loss? Weight gain? Increased flexibility or strength? Tailor your workout to your answer.

Is diet a big factor?

Diet is key to achieving any physical transformation. To lose or gain weight, our body relies on the calories we burn through exercise, but also the calories we consume through food.

What about genetics?

Unfortunately it’s something out of our control. Some people are blessed with athletic genetics and don’t need to work as hard as others to achieve the same result. We can’t use genetics as an excuse. Some results might take longer to achieve, but that does not make it impossible.

Does “recovery time” matter?

Dimarco says things like “stretching and getting plenty of sleep will give your body the best chance to succeed”.

Keen to set your fitness goals? Dimarco recommends getting S.M.A.R.T.

S.M.A.R.T:

●Realistic: Setting a high standard for yourself is great, but not when it becomes impossible to achieve. ●Attainable: Have a routine that you will be able to stick to on good and bad days. ● Measurable: Get some form of testing to measure the results. ● Specific: Make sure your workout routine is specific to the goal you are trying to achieve. ●Time-based: Have a time frame of when you want to achieve the goal and write down that date.

Feel the burn.

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