Biggest Exercise Mistakes That Sabotage Your Progress
Regular exercise can keep you fit, peel off pounds, and lift your mood. Its health benefits are well-documented. People who work out at least three times a week have a lower risk of obesity, depression, heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. However, there are pitfalls that can stall your progress and even cause injuries. With so much information available online, gym goers rarely seek out professional advice and that’s when these things happen.
Let’s see the biggest exercise mistakes that sabotage your progress:
Not Learning Proper Technique
Many newbies go to the gym and do what everyone else is doing, whether it’s cardio, weight training, or plyometrics. The problem is that they don’t have the skills and fitness level required to perform those exercises, which may lead to injury. This is where personal training can help. If you’re not sure how to do a specific move, ask a trainer to teach you. Proper exercise technique will keep you injury free and maximize your results.
All Quantity, No Quality
Another common mistake is trying to do as many exercises as you can. More isn’t always better. Spending hours in the gym doesn’t guarantee better results. It can actually lead to overtraining, muscle strains, and joint injuries. A well-planned 30-minute session is way more effective than a two-hour workout that is poorly executed or draining your energy. If you want results, focus on quality, not quantity.
Doing Too Much Cardio
Excessive cardio puts stress on your back and knees, raises stress hormone levels, and burns muscle tissue. Ideally, your cardio session should last for 25 to 45 minutes. The more cardio you do, the fewer calories you’ll burn. This can slow your progress and affect your metabolism.
Trying to Spot Reduce
Doing hundreds of crunches and sit-ups to get a six-pack is pretty much useless. This habit will only leave your muscles sore and waste your time. There is no such thing as spot reduction. If you want muscle definition, you must burn the far covering those muscles. A combination of HIIT, strength training, and clean eating will help you shed those stubborn pounds within weeks.
