Do you want to start exercising? That’s great! Being new to the gym can be exciting. You come into contact with all kinds of new things and that is quite something. We are here to help. These are the mistakes you shouldn’t make if you’re new to the gym.
Skipping your warm-up
Warming up is very important before you start exercising. This loosens and warms up your muscles. Properly loosening and warming up your muscles is important because this can prevent injuries. Warming up also prevents you from becoming exhausted quickly. You need to prepare your body for your workout. So do this, it is really worth your time.
Always do the same amount of reps and sets
If you want to see progress, you have to challenge your muscles. If you constantly do the same amount of sets and repetitions, your muscles get used to the training and you will therefore no longer experience progression after a while. To really challenge your muscles you need to find a weight where the last two repetitions are really heavy. For example, with some exercises you can do twelve repetitions, with others you can do a lot less. Experiment and find out what amounts work for you.
Try exercises immediately with full weight
Getting injured can happen in the gym, but we naturally want to prevent this. A time when you can easily get injured is when you try a new exercise. Especially if you use a lot of weight right away, things can quickly go wrong. Therefore, always try new exercises first with low or even no weight. Once you’re comfortable with the movement, you can start using real weight. It may feel awkward, but it is for your own safety.
Don’t pay attention to your posture
Another way you can easily get injured is by not paying attention to your posture. Some exercises such as squats and deadlifts require a specific posture. You really need to master this position before you start using heavy weights. Use the mirrors in the gym to monitor your posture. Having a friend at the gym is also very useful for this.
Don’t ask for help
Especially if you are new to the gym, speaking to other people can be intimidating. Some people have been exercising for years and have a lot of experience. That sounds scary, but it is actually very useful for you. For example, if you don’t know how to do an exercise, ask someone. Many athletes are extremely helpful and enthusiastic about the gym. Also, don’t be afraid to ask someone to spot you. This is much better for your own safety, and you may even make new friends.
Don’t take rest days
Rest days are just as important as your training days. On these days your muscles need to recover. Don’t be an overachiever and take your rest days consistently. Only then will you see progress. Overtraining yourself can also cause injuries.
