The Most Common Mistakes Women Make In The Gym
Getting in shape is hard – it takes a lot of willpower and patience. But knowing where you’re going wrong can make all of that much easier. Learn from these 10 common mistakes women make at the gym so you can avoid them and start reaching your goals!
#1 Lifting too heavy
One of the most common mistakes that women make in the gym is lifting too heavy. This can lead to injury and can also stall your progress. If you are new to lifting, start with lighter weights and work your way up. Once you have a good base strength, you can start adding more weight. But be sure to listen to your body and don’t lift anything that feels too heavy for you.
#2 Not resting long enough in between sets
If you’re not resting long enough in between sets, you won’t be able to fully recover and will end up doing more harm than good. You should be taking at least 60 seconds to catch your breath before starting your next set.
#3 Drinking too much water
If you’re working out hard, you might feel like you need to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. However, drinking too much water can actually be dangerous.
Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia, which is a condition where your body’s sodium levels become abnormally low. This can lead to headaches, confusion, seizures, and even death.
So how much water should you drink while working out? The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults drink at least 16 ounces of fluid two hours before exercise, and then drink 8-12 ounces during exercise.
#4 Wearing clothes that are too tight or too loose
One of the most common mistakes women make when working out is wearing clothes that are either too tight or too loose. Wearing clothes that are too tight can restrict your movement and cause you to overheat while wearing clothes that are too loose can cause you to trip or fall. It’s important to find a balance between the two so that you can stay comfortable and focused on your workout.
#5 Not eating before the gym
If you’re working out first thing in the morning, it’s especially important to eat something beforehand. Skipping breakfast can lead to feeling tired and sluggish during your workout. And even if you’re not working out first thing, you should still eat something a few hours before hitting the gym. Otherwise, you may end up feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
To make sure you have enough energy for a good workout, try eating a small meal or snack that includes both protein and carbs. Some good options include yogurt with fruit, whole grain toast with peanut butter, or a banana with a handful of nuts.
#7 Too many squats, not enough lunges, and leg day
One of the most common mistakes women make when working out is doing too many squats and not enough lunges. While both exercises are important for toning the legs, squats target the quads more than the inner thighs and glutes. Lunges, on the other hand, work all three muscles equally.
