Working out on a regular basis is a great routine to adopt no matter who you are or what your goals may be. We’d all like to think the practices we have implemented are working well and there is no need to shake things up, but that is not always the case. Sometimes what we are doing isn’t what we should be doing. Sometimes change is good, especially if it is for the better.
Below you will find some common mistakes people make when they exercise (whether they are new to the lifestyle or not). Check it out and learn how to correct your habits to get the ultimate return for all your efforts.
Common Workout Mistakes
Only doing the exercises you love. Exercise should never be something you hate to do. If you’re like me, you tend to stick to the things you know and like doing. That isn’t all wrong, but it is important to change things up. If you make things too easy on yourself you may get stuck in a plateau. Not only that, but only some of your muscles will get strong while others stay weak.
Not having a plan. If you have a workout plan you will be more likely to accomplish your goals each week. Even scheduling your workouts on a calendar will help you stick to your routine. Knowing what you are going to do will also help you maintain a more well-rounded exercise plan so you aren’t wondering what you’re going to do when it’s time to workout. Sometimes a lack of planning can also lead to frustration, lessened results or the end before the beginning.
Wearing the wrong kind of shoes. One shoe does not fit all exercise routines. That doesn’t mean you need to have a different pair of shoes for everything you do, but you should be mindful of what you wear when you are working out. For example, running shoes are great for running, but not so much for weight lifting. Each activity requires a different type of support. If you just want one simple solution that does “fit” all, try cross-training shoes. These work well with both types of exercise.
Taking long breaks between sets. Staying fit and maintaining your progress requires a balance between sets. You should definitely not go at it nonstop, but you shouldn’t take a 5-minute break between sets either. If you pause too long between sets it sets you backward and you basically stay at the “warm-up” stage of your workout … which is useless if you actually want to achieve results. Not to mention the fact that it wastes your time and the time of others possibly waiting to use the machine / weights you are using if you are at the gym. The maximum amount of time you should rest between reps is 30-45 seconds.
Not lifting the right amount of weight. If you are looking to build muscle, burn fat or get stronger, you won’t do it lifting a small amount of weight. You can determine what you should be lifting easily. Work your way up the weight ladder until you have reached 12 reps where the last two reps are almost impossible to repeat. Start with a 2.5 lb weight.
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