Common Gym Mistakes

Going to the gym is just the first step in the way to getting a leaner and firmer body. Now you actually have to do the workouts and to do them effectively, to get the very best results. The problem is that most of the people I see in gyms don’t really know how to workout effectively and they do one or more common mistakes that limit the results that can expect to get. Some of these people spend hours at the gym each week, so their heart’s in the place. They just lack the knowledge of how to do things correctly.

If you want to get the best results out of your workouts, read this article and avoid making the common gym mistakes I will outline here.

Mistake #1 – Doing cardio Alone

I’m sure you’ve seen these people. They come in and head straight to the treadmill or the elliptical machine and start paddling away for an hour or so. Later, they may do some ab crunches, but for the most part, their workout is all made up of cardio.

This is a mistake as cardio alone is not the best way to burn fat and get fast results. You have to include rigorous resistance training in your workout to get a faster metabolism and burn more calories and fat.

Mistake #2 – Cardio before weights

While you should do light aerobic activity to warm-up at the beginning of each workout, if you’re going to be doing cardio and weight lifting during the same workouts, the cardio part has to come last. This has two main reasons:

1. You want to be as fresh as possible when you do your weight lifting exercises to be able to keep perfect form.
2. You won’t feel comfortable being too sweaty after cardio, particularly if you will be using a bench or other strength machines.

Mistake #3 – Not balancing your workouts

Quite often, people like to focus on certain muscle groups. Some people want to have bigger biceps so they do a lot of curls but hardly work on their triceps. Others want to tone their buttocks but hardly work on their arms and shoulders. This isn’t the right way to train. You want your muscles to be balanced with one another to help your posture and to get the overall best body you can have. Make sure to train your muscles in a balanced way.

Note: Muscle balancing is one of the precepts of neuro fitness developed by Dr. Kareem Samhouri.

Mistake #4 – Using weight machines and not free weights

This is one of the most common gym mistakes that I see people make. It’s much easier to use weight machines that to use free weights. People also feel that these machines actually help them to keep better form. The problem is that free weights provide a much better workout than machines. Using free weights requires you to use stabilizing muscles and your core muscles and better simulates real life movements. In addition, most people don’t know how to correctly adjust weight machines to their size, so their form is actually bad. 

Mistake #5 – Not asking to be spotted

Some exercises are dangerous unless you have a spotter, someone to help save you in case of emergency. These exercises usually involve a barbell or heavy dumbbells that you life above your head or torse. The chest press is an example of such an exercise.

Mistake #6 – Being too proud

Trying to figure everything out by yourself may lead you to doing your exercises with bad form. There are qualified trainers working in your gym. Ask them to show you how to do each exercise and don’t be shy to ask again and again if you don’t understand.

Mistake #7 – Copycatting

This is a similar mistake to #6. Being a copycat can be good and it can be bad. It’s bad when the person you’re copycatting from doesn’t really know what they’re doing. They may think they do but they don’t. You may be copying someone else’s bad form.

Mistake #8 – Over-socializing

Sure, the gym is a great place to meet new people but that’s not the reason you’re there. You need to spend your time working out, not engaging in conversation. Talking too much with people when you should be training will only give you mediocre results.

In Conclusion

Use your time at the gym well and you will see fast results. Avoid the common gym mistakes I’ve outlined and you will be able to burn more fat and tone your muscles faster than ever before.