Get the most out of your workout by avoiding these common workout mistakes. If you’re going to take the time the concentrate on fitness, shouldn’t you make sure it counts?
Monotonous Cardio – Running, swimming, biking, and even running on a treadmill are all great cardio. The key to success is to switch things up a bit. Don’t run at the same pace for 20 minutes a day, every day. Run fast for 5 minutes and then slower for 5 minutes. Increase the incline for 5 minutes, and then decrease it for 5 minutes. AND, it’s important to change up the TYPE of cardio you’re doing whenever possible. One day, run .The next day, take a spinning class.
Fear of the Bulk – A lot of women avoid strength and weight training because they’re scared they’ll bulk up and look gross. Women naturally do not bulk up the same way that men do, and it would generally take TONS of strength training and a very specific diet for most gals to see any major difference in bulk. Lean muscle burns more calories (even while you’re sleeping!) so add strength training to your routine at least twice a week.
Skip the Stretching – All too often, women are in a hurry to get to the gym, get their cardio done, and get on with their day. Unfortunately, that often means they are not warming up before jumping on the treadmill, and they’re not cooling down afterwards. Make time for warm-ups and post-workout stretching to make sure you’re getting the most out of your workouts.
