You’re working out to get in shape. Maybe at home, the gym, over zoom? You want to tone up, get stronger, or even drop a few pounds. And whatever venue that works best for you is just the place for it.
But:
You may be making some mistakes that are limiting the gains you’re expecting to see. I won’t lie, I’ve fallen into these traps myself (that’s why this Coach is wise, been there). But, overcoming these common pitfalls could lead to tremendous gains—and massive respect from your co-workers, family, and other gym or fitness goers.
What are the most common workout mistakes?
1. Starting Off Fast
If you’re coming off an injury, or you’re new to the workout scene, you may have the tendency to bite off more than you can chew. Especially if you used to work out and remember how it was in “the old days”. If you’re doing too much, too soon, it could lead to injuries and slow down your results. If you really want to take your results to the next level, doing less may do more for your body. Adapt your plan to get the best results. Work with your coach for a progressive plan that suits your lifestyle, goals, and intensity level, and most importantly where you are now as a starting point.
2. Relying on Cardio
There are a lot of people who strictly rely on cardio for weight loss. Although this was popular back in the ’80s and ’90s, it’s not as practical today. Building muscle is going to boost your metabolism and give you faster results. — Muscle burns Fat….. Period! This doesn’t mean that cardio isn’t important—it just shouldn’t be the main focus in your workout. Hitting the weights AND doing cardio would give you better results. Weak or low muscle quality will not burn as many calories. Its quality, not big, muscles that count.
3. You’re Too Busy Isolating
There are a lot of people who focus on just one muscle group at a time when working out. Although not bad, since you are developing lean muscle mass, it could eventually limit your results as time goes on. The best use of your time to get results is doing compound exercises. These exercises, which focus on multiple body parts, are great for expending calories, and toning every muscle in your body. Instead of just developing a specific muscle group, you’re going to work your back, abs, and chest at the same time. Compound exercises are great for developing better strength and stability, and may actually lessen the time spent working out while improving your outcome.
4. Not Focusing On Your Nutrition
If you’re working out hard at the gym, but you’re not fueling your body with the right foods, you’re basically negating the impacts of that workout. Proper nutrients are one of the keys to recovering from a tough workout and get you the results you’re looking for faster. Finding the right diet for you, one that encourages lean proteins, healthy fats, easily-digestible carbs, and complex carbs may take your workouts—and your results—to the next level.
5. Listening to the Wrong People
Everyone believes they can be a personal trainer—especially those that have been working out for a long time. Just because someone was an athlete or works out every day doesn’t make them an expert or a good coach. But what works for them, may not work for you. This is why you should seek the help of a professional—to design a workout that’s appropriate for your age and activity level. Although people mean well, sometimes it’s best to ignore the wrong advice and implement the right tactics to keep your progress moving in the right direction.
If you’re not seeing the results you’re expecting from your current workout plan, you could be making some common workout mistakes that are limiting your results. Identifying the mistakes—and correcting them—can improve your results, and maximize your gym time.
If you find you’re falling victim to the mistakes from above, making some easy corrections may go a long way towards your overall results.
