Mistakes you may be making at the gym

YOU could be new to the gym or be a regular attendee; however, seeing that a gym doesn’t come with a user manual, chances are you’ve made a few mistakes or are still making them and putting your endless efforts to waste.

Personal trainer at Gymkhana, Gisel Harrow, said people often go to the gym with the aim of getting a great body, forgetting the other benefits, and end up losing sight of what should be the real purpose. She said the most common mistake is using the gym as a quick fix.

“Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Its main purpose is to help you with your daily routines, making them easier. Gaining a great body is just a plus,” she said.

Some common mistakes made at the gym include:

1. Doing incorrect techniques

When you overdo an exercise and do it incorrectly, you won’t get the benefits you’re looking for and it can lead to pain and damage. The most common exercises done incorrectly are the bicep curl, stomach crunches and the chest press. It is advised that to maximise the benefits of these exercises, the aim should be to perform them in a slow and controlled manner, going through the full range of motion and lifting within your comfort zone.

2. Failing to keep hydrated

Always remember to hydrate before, after and during your workout sessions to fuel your body and regulate your temperature throughout your workouts. You are at an even greater risk for dehydration if you are sweating a lot during your workout sessions. While water is probably the best thing to drink, you can also keep a bottle of sports drink on hand as well. “If you are going to participate in cardio, especially, it is always best to hydrate from the day before,” advised gym instructor Greg Dawkins.

3. Not maintaining a balanced diet

According to Dr Alfred Dawes, consultant general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, you exercise to burn calories, and the body is not partial in burning carbohydrates and fats. “You have to eat enough protein to spare the muscle breakdown, plus repair and grow muscles,” he said. He added that not eating a balanced diet will eventually make you replenish the calories you lost.

4. Failing to stretch

According to Harrow, stretching increases your flexibility and gives you a performance boost during workout. She also said stretching helps to prevent injury.

5. Overworking a muscle group

According to Harrow, this results in muscle imbalance. “Exercise is a balance in cardio, flexibility, endurance and weight training, all in intervals to make it more effective in seeing results,” she said.