22 common gym newbies mistakes

I have been involved in sports for many years: first I was professionally involved in rugby, then, when I graduated, I constantly went to the gym. It was a way for me to keep my muscles toned and fit. In this article, I want to analyze the common mistakes of beginners and tell you how you can avoid them.

Mistakes when training with a coach

1. Conversation of the trainer with the client during the exercise. It is important not only to do the exercises correctly, but also to breathe. Talking during the process is categorically unacceptable.

2. Lack of coach control over correct technique. Watch a video demonstrating all the exercises that your trainer has written for you.

3. Too long pauses between exercises. If you want to talk about life and do not feel sorry for the money spent on training, then talk to the coach. If you come to the gym to work, then you appreciate every minute. Less talk, more value.

4. Unchanged training program. Let the trainer tell you everything about the training process that you will have. You must clearly understand where you will start, why you are doing it, what results and training await you in a month, quarter, six months.

5. Training with an uncomfortable trainer. You pay money, so you have the right to change your coach every day. If you came to the hall for the result, then find such a specialist who will work with you. The main thing is not to go to extremes when the coach will load you wildly.

Errors in self-study

6. Lack of a training program. She must be. It doesn't matter where the program will be written: on a piece of paper, in a notebook or on your phone. However, the very fact of its existence does not guarantee the effectiveness of training.

7. Incorrect exercise technique. The correct technique is effective training, active muscle growth and the absence of further injuries. Learn in advance the correct technique for performing the exercise.

8. Lack of insurance when working with heavy weights. Ask the coach on duty to back you up. It is his direct responsibility to help people in the hall. Many are shy.

9. Performing an exercise with someone on the same simulator. You do not have to share the equipment or machine with another person.

10. Shyness. Remember: pitching in the gym also started somewhere.

Common mistakes

11. Run on a treadmill as a warm-up. A good warm-up is the key to avoiding injuries. Do it right, moving from the top of the body to the bottom.

12. Performing a new exercise with a lot of weight. Start with a light weight and gradually increase the load. It is much more effective in terms of muscle growth and will also help maintain proper form.

13. Different number of sets for different exercises. For each exercise, do 4-5 approaches, with 2-3 should be warm-ups, and the rest should be working. This is to ensure that your muscles adapt to the maximum load. Use a weight in the range of 30–70% of working weight for warming up.

14. Frequent and intermittent breathing. Remember: each exercise has not only a technique for performing, but also a technique for breathing.

15. Frequent change of the training program. The program must be changed at least after two months. Only then will the training be effective.

16. Lack of progression in the load. In each next workout, the weight on the apparatus should be slightly more than the last time. For example: on Wednesday bench press with a weight of 50 kg for 10 repetitions, next Wednesday - 52.5 kg for 10 repetitions. If you can't do the exercise 10 times, do as much as you can, and move on to a new weight when you do 10 reps. Thanks to the constant weight gain, your muscles will grow, become more elastic, a beautiful shape will not keep you waiting long.

17. Too long or short time spent in the gym. The workout should run for a maximum of 80-90 minutes, not including cardio.

18. Few basic exercises in the program. These exercises are called basic, because they are considered the most effective for a particular muscle group.

19. Too many workouts per week. Professional athletes train often and a lot. For beginners, three workouts a week are enough.

20. Bad habits. Remember: alcohol and sports are incompatible things. If you drank, then forget about sports for at least two days. The heart is not iron. Alcohol kills protein synthesis.

21. Heavy weight on the bar. For muscle growth, it is not weight that is important, but the time the muscles are under load.

22. Lack of system. Make a training program and stick to it. It is important to start your workout with large muscles and end with small ones.

Tips for Beginners

Make a program for a week and work on it for at least two months.
Three workouts a week is enough for a beginner.
Each training day - 6-8 exercises for 10-12 repetitions. Each exercise - 2-3 warm-up approaches (30-70% of the working weight), two working approaches.
Rest between sets - up to 90 seconds, rest between exercises - up to 120 seconds.
Be sure to warm up.
During your workout, work your way up from large muscle groups to small ones.
Learn and memorize the technique for performing all the exercises included in the program.
Breathe correctly.
Progression in weights is required.
Less talk - more action!