Summer’s just around the corner, which means you’ll be wearing shorts and tank tops more often. It also means it’s time to take off some of those unwanted pounds you added during the winter months. But even if you have been working out to build muscle or lose weight, you may need to rev up your exercise routine to get better results. With that in mind, here are some strategies you can implement to increase the intensity of your workouts.

Work out Faster

Whether your workout is comprised mostly of cardio or weight training, working out at a faster clip can help you burn more calories and increase your endurance. Varying the pace of your weightlifting from slower to faster on different days can also help you increase muscle size, according to Livestrong.

Do More Sets

People’s bodies respond differently to the number of sets they perform. In fact, some bodybuilders emphasize lower numbers of sets per body part while others get better results with more sets. If you feel you haven’t been hitting your chest or biceps hard enough, add a couple more exercises and sets and see if it helps you gain muscle.

Include Supersets In Your Routine

When you move from one exercise to the next without resting, it’s called a superset. And supersets enable you to increase the intensity of your training by overloading various muscle groups, according to Bodybuilding.com. An example of a superset is going from squats to leg presses without pausing to rest.

Get a Workout Partner

Finding someone to work out with you can also elevate your workout routine. For one thing, it adds a sense of competition to your workout regimen, which forces you to work harder. People also tend to push themselves more when performing in front of an audience. If you can’t find a workout partner, hire a trainer to push you more. She may know some new exercises that can better help you reach your goals.

Take It Outside

A little change in your environment can also enhance your workout routine. In fact, when you hike or walk outside, it may tempt you to go a little farther than normal, according to Harvard Health Publishing. That’s because there’s more to see outdoors, plus the trails are likely much longer than the inside track.

Whether it’s bigger deltoids or six-pack abs you desire, altering your workout routine can really enhance your results. So try incorporating one or more of these tips in your workout routine. The results you achieve may surprise you.