10 Exercising Mistakes People Get Trapped Into

Have you ever wondered why you don’t go to the gym or exercise anymore? Did it cross your mind that you might have caused this yourself, well at least the mistakes you made probably unknowingly? Most people who don’t have personal trainers make these common mistakes below and I’m sure you’ve heard them say, “Gym is not for me,” or “I tried exercising but it but I didn’t see any change.”

1. Stretching cold muscles
Most people think that you should stretch before you exercise or workout. Stretching should be done after because if done before you can pull or tore your muscles.

2. Skipping warm-up
Going straight on high with your workout will increase the risk of injuries and with cardiovascular exercise you raise the heart rate too fast. Warm up to your exercise for at least 5-10 minutes at an ease pace to raise your body temperature from inside.

3. All quantity no quality
A person who spends 30minutes working out can do more than someone who spends an hour in the gym, it’s not about how much time you spend working out, it’s about the type of the workouts you do.

4. Wrong type of workout
Just because you saw a workout you like on TV or because your friend is doing it doesn’t mean you have to. Have goals of what you want to achieve before you start and do workouts that are intended for that.

5. Overestimating your workout
Most people think if you work out for a certain time you burn certain amount of fat and calories, it takes more than just exercise to lose weight or reach your goal and your workout should remain consistent.

6. Underestimating your eating
You can spend the whole day in the gym working out but if you don’t watch what you eat or how often, it can be all in vain. Many people are in denial of the quantities of food they eat but to get the results you are looking for, your eating plan has to be in hand with your workout.

7. Walking with weights
Walking with weights seems like a good idea to add to your cardio workout but it compromises your strides. It stresses the quads, ankles and shins which can cause stress fractures.

8. Quick fixes
You have to set realistic goals for yourself; don’t say you want to lose 10kgs in a month, set goals that are reachable. Be honest with yourself about your abilities, your level of commitment and your lifestyle.

9. Forgetting to have fun
Exercising should never get to a point where it’s boring because you will just feel lazy. Find ways of making it fun, you can do it with friends or switch things up once in a while. Avoid being stuck on one routine.

10. Skimping on water
Muscles need fluid to contract properly, so if you don’t drink enough water you can get muscle spasms and aches. Drink water before, during and after exercise, if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.