Top 10 Mistakes Seen in the Gym
Because we are busy gals, we want to make the best of our time spent in the gym right? Well, there are many blunders even the most veteran gym rat can fall prey to. Here are the top ten, and ways to avoid them. Enjoy!
1.
Lifting weights that are too light. If you can comfortably do more than 10 reps, your weight is too light. The last rep should be a struggle to execute. As you progress, weights should get heaver and reps should be fewer.
Lifting weights that are too light. If you can comfortably do more than 10 reps, your weight is too light. The last rep should be a struggle to execute. As you progress, weights should get heaver and reps should be fewer.2.Leaning on the cardio machine. Stand up straight! You’re only cheating yourself when you lean all over that machine. Also, try not to hold onto the handles on cardio machines. Let your body’s muscles do the work.
Leaning on the cardio machine. Stand up straight! You’re only cheating yourself when you lean all over that machine. Also, try not to hold onto the handles on cardio machines. Let your body’s muscles do the work.3.Doing 100’s of crunches. Abs are the same as any other muscles group. When people proudly exclaim “I do 500 crunches a night!” I’m curious if they can do 10 correctly. Remember, quality over quantity. Would you do 500 bicep curls? No? Then why 500 crunches? Bring it down a notch and train abs as you do any other muscle group.
Doing 100’s of crunches. Abs are the same as any other muscles group. When people proudly exclaim “I do 500 crunches a night!” I’m curious if they can do 10 correctly. Remember, quality over quantity. Would you do 500 bicep curls? No? Then why 500 crunches? Bring it down a notch and train abs as you do any other muscle group.4.Stretching before cardio or strength moves. Most people stretch with the belief that they need to limber up and prepare their muscles for cardio. Well, when you pull on a muscle (stretch it) that hasn’t been warmed up, you are doing harm to yourself. If you really want to stretch, warm up with some light cardio first, then stretch so you’re not pulling on a cold muscle. Also, when you lift weights, the muscle works off of the tightness, allowing you to lift more weight. If you stretch, you lose that tightness. Stick to stretching after your workout.
Stretching before cardio or strength moves. Most people stretch with the belief that they need to limber up and prepare their muscles for cardio. Well, when you pull on a muscle (stretch it) that hasn’t been warmed up, you are doing harm to yourself. If you really want to stretch, warm up with some light cardio first, then stretch so you’re not pulling on a cold muscle. Also, when you lift weights, the muscle works off of the tightness, allowing you to lift more weight. If you stretch, you lose that tightness. Stick to stretching after your workout.5.Doing steady state cardio. Intervals are much more effective in shaping the body, building muscles, and loosing fat. Search HIIT (high intensity interval training) on the stylethread forum to see a more detailed description.
Doing steady state cardio. Intervals are much more effective in shaping the body, building muscles, and loosing fat. Search HIIT (high intensity interval training) on the stylethread forum to see a more detailed description.6.Doing the same workout every week. Switch it up! You body adapts to things very quickly. I see the same people in my gym day after day, doing the same thing and wondering why they haven’t noticed any changes. Well, if they changed their workout, I bet they would!
Doing the same workout every week. Switch it up! You body adapts to things very quickly. I see the same people in my gym day after day, doing the same thing and wondering why they haven’t noticed any changes. Well, if they changed their workout, I bet they would!7.Doing too many isolation moves. You cannot spot reduce, it’s impossible. Do compound movements (squats, push-ups, lunges, etc.) that incorporate more than one muscle to see results.
Doing too many isolation moves. You cannot spot reduce, it’s impossible. Do compound movements (squats, push-ups, lunges, etc.) that incorporate more than one muscle to see results.8.Doing too much cardio. Too much can be counterproductive. Stick to up to three HIIT sessions a week and maybe 1-2 regular sessions if you really want to. Cardio is only a small percentage of losing fat and gaining muscle contrary to what most women believe. Remember; work out harder, not longer!
Doing too much cardio. Too much can be counterproductive. Stick to up to three HIIT sessions a week and maybe 1-2 regular sessions if you really want to. Cardio is only a small percentage of losing fat and gaining muscle contrary to what most women believe. Remember; work out harder, not longer!9.Doing cardio before weights. Nope, switch that around. You need your strength for the weights first. Also, lactic acid builds up when you lift, which may block the after burn fat loss. Light cardio after weights cures this.
Doing cardio before weights. Nope, switch that around. You need your strength for the weights first. Also, lactic acid builds up when you lift, which may block the after burn fat loss. Light cardio after weights cures this.10.Lifting weights too fast. Slow it down sister! Let your muscle do the work, not momentum. Slow it down and really concentrate on what you’re doing.
Lifting weights too fast. Slow it down sister! Let your muscle do the work, not momentum. Slow it down and really concentrate on what you’re doing.~~~ Jen
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