How many of these 5 mistakes do you make in the gym?
1. Mistaking the gym for a social club. Look around at the gym and you'll see that people who are out of shape spend most of their time talking. Focus on what you're there for - to train. Don't waste time chatting on your mobile phone, gossiping with your friend, or watching the TV.
2. Not taking in enough fluid before, during, and after training. Be sure to sip water, or a high-carbohydrate energy drink (such as Viper) throughout your training session. It'll make a big difference to your energy levels and workout intensity.
3. Working straight through painful (and sometimes serious) injuries. Learn how to distinguish the good pain of a tough training session from the bad pain of an injury. If you're not sure if you have an injury, err on the side of caution. Trust your body. If you try and "work through" an injury, you'll make it worse. Then, you'll be out of action for months, and all your hard work will have gone to waste.
4. Sacrificing proper form in order to use heavy weights. You must learn to walk before you can run. Well, the same goes for weight training. Don't fall into the trap of using a massive weight you can only lift for 1 or 2 repetitions (and then you need the help of a spotter). Your goal is to train your muscles, not to lift the most weight.
5. Not having clearly defined goals. Before you even walk in the door to the gym, you should be clear about what your training goals are for that day and how they fit into your overall plan. While you're travelling to the gym, think about what you're going to be doing. At the very least, map it out in your mind. The best thing to do is write it down in a training diary.
