Five Common Exercise & Fitness Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

We all know that exercise is good for us both physically and mentally. However, it can be easy to get into bad habits or have mistaken beliefs that are holding us back from reaching our true fitness potential. Here’s a look at some of the most common exercise mistakes and what the correct approach should be.

For more individual and expert advice, you may want to consider working with an online personal trainer. 

Not warming up enough

When you are pushed for time and want to squeeze an exercise session in before work, it’s very tempting to skip the warm up and get stuck into the main course. However, a warm up-up can be done in five or six minutes and will help you to get your body ready. 

This means that you will be more flexible and able to perform the workout moves to a better standard, and will have a reduced risk of injury. Aim to do dynamic stretching and/or light cardio such as marching on the spot before you begin your routine. 

Neglecting strength training 

Some people assume that strength training is an optional extra or worry about becoming too big. However, regular strength training helps you look more lean and toned rather than big and bulky.

It’s also an essential part of all-round fitness, helping to improve posture, protect your bones, muscles and joints, and make you better able to cope with everyday tasks such as gardening and carrying shopping. 

Overdoing strength training

On the other hand, some gym goers might be tempted to lift weights that are too heavy too early in their fitness journey. Focus on building strength gradually and do not be tempted to show off or keep up with other gym users. 

Using the wrong techniques

Our bodies and minds are designed to take shortcuts to make life easier for ourselves, and this can of course be useful. However, it can also mean that you are not performing moves with the correct technique, and therefore are not getting the full benefit of the exercise, or even risking injury.

If you are working out by yourself, watch videos of professional trainers performing the moves to check out the correct positioning, and pay attention to your core and posture at all times. 

Not breaking a sweat

If you want to make progress with your fitness and weight loss goals, it’s important to keep your body challenged. If you have reached a plateau where you are not breaking a sweat or getting mildly out of breath from your exercise, or not getting close to muscular failure when lifting, then this a sign that you are not pushing yourself hard enough.