Do you want to make the most of your sweat sessions? Of course you do! To ensure that happens, it’s important to do all your exercises properly. So are you making any of these common exercise mistakes?
Going for time rather than intensity
Undeniably, it can be pretty satisfying to get off the treadmill and boast that you walked or ran for an hour or more. Although we certainly don’t want to discourage you from increasing the amount of cardio you’re doing, it’s important to remember that duration isn’t all that matters. The intensity of the activity you do is just as important. To get the most out of your workouts, include increased-intensity intervals. For instance, run or walk at a pace you’re comfortable with for four minutes, and then increase your pace for two. You may not be able to go for as long, but you’ll get far more accomplished in less time.
Straying from proper technique
When you’re trying to get fit, it’s only natural that you aim to do more reps and to increase your weight. But if your body isn’t ready for that step up, you may be doing more harm than good. If your muscles aren’t able to handle the increased difficulty, you’ll wind up doing the moves incorrectly, which could lead to injuries. To ensure you challenge yourself properly, start with a weight you can comfortably handle, and look in the mirror to observe your proper form. Then gradually increase the weights, ensuring your technique remains the same. If your technique starts to change, either decrease the weight or do less reps. It may be frustrating not to go as big as you want, but it will pay off in the long run.
Not giving yourself a day off
When you get on a serious fitness kick, you want so badly to keep the results coming. And that can cause you to push yourself harder than you should. When you don’t give yourself a day off each week, you tire yourself out mentally and physically, which can leave you prone to injuries and burnouts. So take the time to rest up; you’ll be stronger and healthier when you come back.
Doing the same things
When you find a routine that works for you, it can be hard to break away from it. But if you do the same exercises all the time, your body will get used to them. And when you aren’t challenging yourself, your results will begin to wane. To maximize your progress and keep yourself motivated for longer, test out different workouts. Even if you find you don’t like the new things you try, your body will appreciate the change of pace, and you’ll notice the results.
Not drinking enough water
The concept of drinking when you’re thirsty seems sensible enough, right? Not quite. The truth is, by the time you’re thirsty, your body is actually already dehydrated, and this can be particularly risky when you’re working out and need extra water. So make sure you constantly sip water before, during and after workouts so you constantly have enough H2O to keep your system running properly.
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