7 Things You Need to Stop Doing at The Gym

So, you’ve already got a healthy gym habit. That’s great news! However, are you making enough use of your time when you’re there? Unfortunately, there are many common mistakes that gym-goers unknowingly commit, which can vastly inhibit their fitness results. Read on to ensure you make the most of your workouts:

1. Wearing Incorrect Exercise Attire

The old, oversized tee shirts you know and love may not be the great gym clothes you think they are. Most are made of cotton or cotton blends which absorb sweat rather than release it. Most exercise brands now have technology that doesn’t absorb sweat, are lightweight and durable. Since a lot of brands like Adidas and Lululemon can get pricey, check out Target, Uniqlo, and Old Navy. 

2. Not Utilizing All Of The Machines

The beauty of a gym is the versatility it has in all of the machines you can use and classes you can take. Ensure that you are using all your body’s muscle groups by combining both resistance and cardio in your workouts. For instance, curate the perfect workout by choosing the right treadmill while also selecting the right array of weights within your strength range.

3. Comparing Yourself To Others

It’s no good for your self esteem or for your workout to compare yourself to other people in the gym. As well as this, the fittest people in the gym worked for their bodies, just like you’re working for it now. Never compare yourself to others, especially those fitness Instagrammers you may or may not be obsessed with. Use other people as inspiration, not as an excuse to quit.

4. Not Warming Up

At least 5-10 minutes of stretching before you exercise can prevent you from that dreaded post-exercise pain, or worse — an injury. As for after your workout? Always perform a light cool-down and have your foam roller on hand.

5. Listening To The Wrong Music

According to science, the perfect workout song has two very important aspects: first, its rhythm should match your heartbeat, keeping in time around a speed of 120 to 190 bpm. Second, exercising to good music can evoke a memory or a feeling of nostalgia. For example, songs that mean something to us affect us more than new music. Put together a playlist that works for you, filled with the songs mean something to you and can get you motivated.

6. Not Eating Enough Carbs

Although it’s common knowledge that protein is needed for energy, it actually can’t be converted into energy as fast as carbohydrates can. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have a meal before your workout that is a combination of both protein and carbs, such as toast with peanut butter and bananas.

7. Drinking Alcohol Before Or After Training

If you find yourself in a situation where you’re being offered alcohol prior to your plans of working out, don’t do it! Alcohol decreases your athletic performance, which impairs your workout and increases the risk of injury. As well as this, alcohol inhibits the circulation of glucose in your body, diminishes protein synthesis, and it dehydrates you (surprise, surprise). Unfortunately, alcohol stays in your system for a long time, so for best results, skip happy hour and boozy brunch the day before going to the gym.

Whether you’re a gym junkie or you’ve just purchased your first gym membership, there’s no doubt about the multitude of benefits that exercise can give us. Ensure you steer clear if these top 7 exercise calamities, and you’ll achieve the body of your dreams in no time.