SPENDING several hours in the gym or at home committed to a regular exercise regimen is a real sacrifice, and while the results often take time, personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Gymkhana Gisel Harrow says that there are a number of ways that you can know if your work is bearing fruit.

“It’s good to start an exercise regimen in order to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. But sometimes it’s hard to tell if your workout is actually working by merely inspecting yourself in front of the mirror,” Harrow said.

Below, she gives advice on ways other than mere observation that could be used to measure the benefits of your exercise programme.

1. You have more energy

You are exerting a great amount of energy during your session, raising the heart rate and working up a sweat. A good cardio workout, which is a heart rate of three-fourths the maximal heart rate, is one of the most common signs that could be used to check the quality of your workout.

2. You want to challenge yourself

When you first started you just wanted to get comfortable with your routine, and you didn’t want to risk any additional aches that could come with it. But with your body reacting well to the exercise, you now want to push yourself to try new exercises to keep consistent.

3. Improved sleep

When you exercise and do it correctly, it helps in improving the quality of sleep that you get. This should also help you since quality rest and a boosted immune system along with better-managed weight share very strong links.

4. Changes in how your body looks and feels.

You are no longer as exhausted as you used to be, even though you still run a regular daily routine outside of exercise. You also appear more youthful and toned.

5. You are more focused after a workout

Exercise is as good a physical booster as it is a mental one. If you find that you are more focused, more relaxed, and you are able to think and analyse things better after working out, it’s not magic, it’s the sign of a great workout.