Top 5 Mistakes Made in the Gym....

Here is a fitness trainers take on the biggest mistakes we see people making in the gym. Sometimes, these mistakes may simply mean the difference between an effective workout and an ineffective workout. Other mistakes can be more costly, leading to strain and injury.

1. NOT STRETCHING ENOUGH - The best time to stretch is right after and aerobic activity so that your muscles are warm and pliable.

2. LIFTING TOO MUCH WEIGHT - The quickest way to put your workouts on hold for awhile is to try to lift more weight than your body can handle. A much more effective way to train your muscles, is with gradual, progressive resistance.

3. NO WARM UP - Your muscles need time to adjust to the new demands being placed on it from the weights, or from a more intense cardio workout. Prior to a weight training workout, lift a lighter weight for 15 - 20 reps, then start with your normal weight routine. For a cardio workout, ease into it gradually. On the treadmill, start with an easy walk, and work into a light jog, then hit your stride.

4. NO COOL DOWN - Do you head straight for the change room after yoru workout? Instead, you should take a few minutes to lower your heart rate and stretch!! This will improve your flexibility as well as prepare your body for the next workout.

5. EXERCISING TOO INTENSELY - Are you the classic weekend warrior, trying to fit in a week's worth of exercise into a Saturday afternoon at the gym? For weight loss, it is more effective to maintain a moderate workout for a longer period of time rather than to exercise intensely for only a few minutes. The expectation that a workout must be intense to be effective can lead some to burnout, while others abandon their training altogether.

Some other crucial mistakes...
Not paying attention to proper form and technique - maybe not knowing what the proper form and technique looks and feels like. It would be well worth it to obtain the experience of a Personal Fitness Trainer to explain this to you.

Working "through" an injury because it is sure to be better in a couple of days - It is best to get any nagging pain checked out thoroughly before continuing with your exercise program. There are always alternate exercises you can be doing for that particular body part, or you can be given the proper rehabilitation exercises to help that injury get better.

Giving up too soon - It takes at least 4 - 6 weeks before you start to notice any sort of change. Quite often, if immediate results are not seen, the routine is seen as a waste of time, or just not working for me. Give it a chance!!

Hiring a personal trainer will be well worth it in the long run. A trainer can help you with all of the above mistakes. As well, a good trainer will refer you to your Doctor or Physiotherapist to get any nagging aches and pains looked after properly. A trainer will also help you set goals, and help you reach your goals. Check with your Physiotherapist, Doctor, Chiropractor, Massage Therapist or other health care provider, to get the name of a reputable trainer in your area.