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Sneakers? Check. Workout clothes? Check. But before you hit the gym, read on for tips on maximizing your workout from Jillian Michaels, trainer on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”

1. Maintain an 80%-85% maximum heart rate while working out. 

2. Mix cardio with resistance training in a circuit training fashion, so you never stop moving.

3. Make sure you’ve got killer music. An iPod is a good accessory to have. 

4. Be fully hydrated before working out or you might get a cramp in your muscles or sides. But don’t drink too much before you begin a workout; just make sure you’re drinking about 80 ounces of water throughout the day.

5. Eat 45 minutes prior – not sooner – to working out, making sure you have a good mix of carbs and protein for energy.

6. Have variety in your workout. Mix up your routine to keep the body guessing whether it’s changing exercise, changing weights, whatever. 

7. Try not to break up your workouts. The ideal workout should consist of 30 minutes in one sitting instead of breaking it up into 10 minutes three times a day.

8. Use your own body weight as much as possible; it helps you get lean and functional while building core strength. Gym machines should only be 20%-25% of your routine.

9. Buy a heart rate monitor with a calorie counter. That’s going to be a huge source of motivation. 

10. Have some caffeine 40 to 45 minutes prior to your workout, preferable in pill form. As long as you don’t go over 200 mg of caffeine a day, it can actually help you stabilize blood sugar, mobilize fat stores and heat up your metabolism.