…3 Newbie Workout Mistakes To Avoid…

Source: Pexels

If you’re completely new to fitness training, the very idea of the gym and long runs around your town can be intimidating. Although you’re probably not going to stick out as much as you’re afraid you will, there are still various newbie mistakes that people tend to make when they first get into training. Avoid these common errors, and you’ll get the most out of all your hard work from the very beginning.

Setting Goals you Can’t Achieve

Instead of being taken in by your fantasies of intense Rocky-esque montages, and going whole-hog right out of the gate, start off small, training just two days of the week. Keeping to just a few hours of working out per week, you’ll be able to integrate it into your other responsibilities and routines without making things too difficult for yourself. By setting yourself a goal that’s well within your reach, you’ll give your confidence a massive boost. Any extra sessions, if you feel up to them, are just the icing on the cake. If you’re ever pressed for time, focus on being efficient, and putting more intensity into a shorter session, rather than giving the gym a miss. It’s great to have big ideas, but if you bite off more than you can chew, you’re certain to regret it!

Going in Without a Plan

Okay, so you dragged yourself out of bed and managed to do a session at the gym. That’s great! However, the work certainly doesn’t stop there. If you wander around hopping on whatever machines are free and hope for the best, you’re only going to be wasting your time. Have a plan in place. By writing out your program, from times and exercises to the kind of supplement you’ll use, you’ll not only give yourself more confidence, but will convince yourself that you really know what you’re doing in the gym. Developing the right mindset goes a long way in working out effectively. You need to know not only the exercises you’ll be doing, but also how to perform each one properly. Executing everything you do safely should be a priority. Being a beginner doesn’t mean you have to learn your lessons the hard way. Working out your chest and back, for example, can do serious damage to your shoulders if you’re doing it wrong.

Putting Off Strength Training

Another big mistake newbies tend to make is focussing all their time on cardio, rather than making time for strength training. If all you do is conditioning and cardio exercises, especially in those early stages, you’ll burn some fat, but you’ll be holding yourself back from your long-term muscle-building goals. Remember that when you have lean mass for long periods of time, you’ll be burning calories, even when you’re done sweating it out in the gym. If you’re new to weight training, and nervous about compound movements like squats and deadlifts, you can always tweak these exercises by using more accessible equipment, such as dumbbells. However you start, make some room for strength training!