There are a number of things that can go wrong at the gym, and these common gym mistakes might not necessarily be what you signed up for. For example, there are certain types of weight machines that don't do a lot of work, but offer little in terms of results. Other times, a machine is made to target a particular muscle group, but doesn't actually do that effectively. Still other times, a gym's equipment is overpriced or sub-standard, which means that it will really just waste your time. So how do you know which machines are most effective, and which ones are simply wasting your time? Here's a look at the 7 most common gym mistakes that you should avoid:
Dumbbells are dumb. This goes for pretty much every type of weight machine you can imagine. I think this misconception is mostly contributed to by the fact that so many people like to misuse their body weight by using them for pull-ups or other silly wrist curls. Dumbbells are meant to be used for exercises, and that's exactly what they were designed for. If you're looking to build muscle mass or bulk, then there's nothing better than an adjustable dumbbell.
No exercise bench. When most people think of an exercise bench, they either visualize an enormous, multi-legged exercise bench that is probably at least 90% used for ab workouts or something similar. The problem with exercise benches is that they take up far too much space and can actually slow down your workout significantly. For this reason, an exercise bench should never be used by beginners, unless they know exactly what they're doing.
Dumbbells are easy to cheat. One of the biggest gym mistakes that people make is buying weights that are too heavy. Some people may even be tempted to run up an entire rack full of free weights, but you shouldn't do this. You're much better off with lighter weights, especially if you are trying to bulk up. A good rule of thumb is that the heavier the load, the shorter your rest between reps. Be careful, though; some sets and reps will hurt if you push too hard. You can experiment with different loads until you find a set and rep range that work best for you.
Not giving enough attention to form. Everyone knows that it's not the quantity that matters, it's the quality. Yet most people don't pay enough attention to the quality of their form. As a result, most people have a lot of injuries because they didn't practice proper form. You should always make sure that your form is perfect, because bad form is just as dangerous as lifting the wrong amount of weight. If you have a routine and stick to it, your body will do fine, but if you don't, then you'll just be setting yourself up for bigger problems later.
Not using enough variety in their workout. While many gyms include all of the same exercises, their design often leaves something to be desired. Some people have the same exercises on their workouts, while others focus on variations. The best way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your regular exercise is to vary your routine, not to cut it short.
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