A new report in the Huffington Post takes a look at some of the mistakes that women make when they work out. While important to understand, we would like to make the distinction that it’s not just women who can make these missteps. Men are equally susceptible to these issues, which can often lead to injuries, especially if a person insists on making the same mistakes repeatedly. Therefore, no matter your gender, make sure you’re working out in the right manner rather than putting yourself at risk for an injury.
There’s one issue that can affect both newbies and experienced persons alike, and that’s focusing on one machine, and in turn, one set of muscles, to the detriment of your workout experience. For persons who have just started working out, this may be because they want to hone in on those techniques that look easy for a newcomer. And for persons who have been working out for awhile, they could adapt to a routine, never branching out to try new things because they like a regimen they’ve developed over the course of years.
A workout needs to be all about balance. You should always keep your body on its toes. The moment you get used to something is the moment your enthusiasm and effort flag and other parts of your body don’t receive attention. We would advise working with a personal trainer and coming up with a fitness regimen that emphasizes development throughout your body with a combination of weight lifting and cardio. In this way, every part of you benefits.
If you are working with a trainer, then it’s important to be open with him or her. They understand that you may not be able to reach the same benchmarks as one of their other clients, and you shouldn’t be expected to. Any trainer worth their salt will take your unique situation and develop a workout that both taxes you and allows for rest when you feel pain or exhaustion. Tell the trainer when you feel these so that there’s no risk of exacerbating a minor injury and turning it into something that could be quite serious.
By the same token, you don’t want to drag the workout out unnecessarily by taking extensive breaks that go far beyond mere recuperation. You still want to push your body, so when you get done with a series of reps and you’re ready to move on to the next thing, don’t delay. Get a drink of water if you like, take a few deep breaths, and then move on so that your heart rate remains up.