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10 Gym Mistakes That Hinder Weight Loss

By Anirudh Narayanan

Everybody wants instant results when they start off with a weight-loss regime. While there isn't a secret formula for that, there are a few things that you can do to avoid the common pitfalls that befall weight loss enthusiasts. There are some gym mistakes to avoid at all costs. Take a look.

Missing out on warm-up, not keeping diet in check, following same workout patterns are some of the gym mistakes to avoid for a better workout. When you skip warm-up, you're actually sacrificing the most essential aspect of working out. Besides, never fall into a monotonous regime of exercises. Mix it up! Switch between cross training and high intensity training once a week.

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These are some of the things to keep in mind when doing workout. Take a look at some weight loss mistakes to avoid.

Never miss out on warm-up:

Never miss out on warm-up:

Skipping the warm-up session is never a good idea. While it seems like you saved up on a couple of minutes, you're actually sacrificing the most essential aspect of working out. This is one of the gym mistakes to avoid for a better workout. Warming up reduces muscle stiffness and accelerates the recovery process of the muscles later.

Keep your diet in check:

Keep your diet in check:

The number of hours you put in the gym will not really matter if you don't keep a check on your diet. Maintain proper diet charts that detail the calorie intake and work on reducing the excess.

Do not skip core training:

Do not skip core training:

You probably haven't heard about this one but it does two really important things. Firstly, it makes you look thinner. Secondly, it helps your spine to keep things in balance. Ask your trainer about core training and get on with it.

Same workout, day in, day out:

Same workout, day in, day out:

This is one of the gym mistakes to avoid for a better workout. Don't fall into a monotonous regime of exercises. Mix it up! Switch between cross training and high intensity training once a week. Change the order of exercises, the number of repetitions or the amount of weight you lift.

Celebrity crush doesn't help:

Celebrity crush doesn't help:

Wanting to have a physique like Hrithik Roshan or John Abraham doesn't help. Set realistic goals. The will to have muscles like a superstar lasts for about 2 weeks. It ends when you don't see changes because you don't have a strong will and your expectations are superficial.

Limit your calorie intake:

Limit your calorie intake:

Follow the good old calorie mantra for weight loss: calories that you consume should be lesser than the calories you burn. Weight loss experts suggest that the daily limit of calories is 1800 for men and 1200 for women. As it varies from person to person, you might be better off calculating your BMR [basal metabolic rate] and then calculating the number of calories to be taken.

Don't neglect the benefits of a physical trainer:

Don't neglect the benefits of a physical trainer:

Investing in a physical trainer at least for the initial 6 months goes a long way in learning the dos and don'ts in a gym for weight loss. It's not only about the time you spend doing an exercise, but what also matters is whether you are doing it properly or not. If you are looking for what not to do in a gym, then please keep this point in mind.

Incline your treadmill:

Incline your treadmill:

Treadmills are cool but it doesn't aid weight loss unless you face resistance from it. Incline it at such an angle that it makes it difficult for you than it normally is. Get out of your comfort zone and work that treadmill with a slight inclination. Works wonders!

Control the weights, do not let them control you:

Control the weights, do not let them control you:

A major problem in gym is the wish to directly go for heavy weight training. This is one of the weight loss mistakes to avoid for a better workout. Heavy weight training is done by people who have been at it for at least five years. Start with comfortable weights. It reduces the risk of injuries and from there move on to heavier weights.

A definite plan:

A definite plan:

Before setting out on a weight loss spree, set a course of action. It must cover how much weight you plan on losing, the time it will take, a proper diet where you control the calorie intake and ways to maintain the weight loss. Maintaining the weight that you lost is important, as losing weight and just stopping the exercises would mean the weight rushing back to you and that isn't your goal.