After being cooped up at home during the pandemic, it feels nice to be out again and stretch out. And what better way to get back in shape than going to the gym.
But before rushing in, you might want to take note of these 10 mistakes to avoid at the gym and make your experience more pleasant.
1. Going to the gym without a plan.
If you’re new to the gym, it’s common to be overwhelmed by all the equipment and gym-goers around.
So before going in, make a plan ahead of time. Know what your goals are and do a little research on what routine and equipment will help you achieve them.
You can also hire a personal trainer at the gym who can guide you and help plan a routine that suits your needs.
Also read: Workout Plan for Beginners
2. Waiting in line for the equipment.
During peak hours, you may find it hard to use your preferred equipment because someone got to it before you.
So instead of wasting your time waiting, it’s better to plan and find an alternative workout that would still lead you to your goal.
3. Not stretching out or warming up first.
Not warming up or stretching out before working out is a surefire way to get hurt.
Warmups help prepare your body before performing high-intensity activities and avoid skipped heartbeats, premature fatigue, and injuries.
Related: 5 Important Reasons To Warm Up Before Exercise
4. Forgetting to bring your own water
This may not sound as important but you’ll be surprised by how much time and energy you’ll save by bringing your own bottle of water around the gym rather than heading to the water fountain or cafeteria all the time.
5. Exercising in crowded areas of the gym.
Avoid doing your workout in places meant as pathways or designed for foot traffic. Best-case scenario, you’ll be interfering with others. Worst-case? You’ll be hurting yourself or someone else!
6. Not prioritising safety.
It’s tempting to act recklessly when in the gym as competition is filling the air. But whatever you do, never throw safety out of the window.
Remove weights properly and set them aside in the proper place, use safety collars and safety bars, exercise with the right posture, and so on.
7. Repeating the same workout.
The secret to achieving great results in the gym is not in repetition but in gradually increasing the stimulus on your body – that means slowly adding more weight, resistance, and intensity.
8. Overtraining your body.
Training to fail is common for those who are in a hurry to change their bodies. But pushing your body to the point of breaking and exhaustion is never a good idea.
Remember, the goal is to build your muscles, not destroy them.
9. Trying out all equipment and machines.
Gym newbies are often curious about all the equipment inside the gym. But it’s a mistake to try it all out during one session.
One, because it’ll waste your time wandering around and two, not every piece of equipment helps you with your goal.
10. Not giving yourself time to rest.
You don’t need to do too much inside the gym. If you feel like catching your breath, then, by all means, do. Rest and take your time.
Hire a personal trainer.
There are plenty of things you need to learn when you’re in the gym.
And while you can read up on these things online, it would still be quite difficult to find one that is tailored to what you need.
So instead of playing a guessing game with all this information, hiring a personal trainer in Baldivis would be faster and more beneficial. They could also help create a customised workout regimen that’ll help you achieve your goal!
Talk to one of our personal trainers today!
Related Post: Dos and Don’ts of Weight Training at Gym or at Home
