Are you making these 3 fitness mistakes?

by Jacki Donaldson (Subscribe to Jacki Donaldson's posts)
Sep 17th 2008 8:00AM

Categories: Fitness

(Click the photo for Celebrity Fitness Secrets)

Exercise is one of the greatest gifts you can give your body -- as long as you do it right. Check out these three fitness mistakes, guaranteed to up your risk for strain, soreness, and injury.

Forgetting to warm up and cool down Warming up reduces the risk of injury, and stretching after a workout prevents soreness. Be sure to stretch right, though -- improper stretching can be just as dangerous as not stretching at all. A basic rule: Don't bounce. It will cause tears in your muscles.
Not cross-training You've got to mix it up, because doing the same thing over and over again results in overused and strained muscles. Get a well-rounded workout by practicing a variety of cardio and strength training activities.
Engaging in improper form Don't rush through your workout. Pay attention to quality, not quantity, so you don't strain your muscles. Ever blast through a set of crunches and feel all sorts of pulling on your neck? Bad form, indeed.

Are you committing any of these fitness crimes? I am -- I rarely stretch and I mostly run for my cardio. Time for some behavior modification. And you?

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Comments (7)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michael 9-17-2008 @ 3:08PM

When training before to work one muscle per workout. Allow a minimum of 24 hours between same muslce workouts.

Michael
personal trainer

Hope 9-17-2008 @ 3:49PM

I find the biggest mistake I make is forgetting to hydrate. I will also not account for needing to drink more when it is hotter out. When I don't drink enough, my work out is not as good and I will also get a headache.

I love to eat and have always had a problem with my weight. I recently lost 30 pounds,and am more watchful every day of what I eat. I try to eat smaller amounts, drink water or crystal light and try to get walks in whenever I can, in addition to working out 3 times a week. My trainer recommended smartsoles to me
http://www.smartsole.com and it definitely helped with the last 10 pounds I lost. Smartsoles are exercise insoles that you put in your sneaker that tone muscles and increase the amount of calories you burn with every step. I found a code to get 15% off. It is SMART15

I now feel better about me...exercise makes me feel good and looking better makes me feel better too.

Beth 9-17-2008 @ 3:59PM

Hey Hope, I just got SmartSoles, I heard about them in Prevention Mag and they are vey comfortable. I used to wear MBT trainers and found the Smartsoles more comfortable...and much cheaper. Thanks for the code.

colleen 9-17-2008 @ 7:27PM

Do Beth and Hope sell smartsoles?? I have seen that post before!

jennabvaught 9-17-2008 @ 7:45PM

This is a great time and absolutely true! Take it from me, I have lost almost 200lbs. by switching it up and strength training! Best of luck...Miss Plus America Elite 2007

Stephanie 9-18-2008 @ 9:45AM

Make sure to pay attention to your body, and know your limits. Sometimes I'll keep pushing, and I'll feel fine. Until the next day, when I can barely walk! I've gotten much better. I forced myself to stop doing pushups (real ones, not girly ones! Yay!) because I was starting to lose my form. And I could only do so many lower-ab crunches, with my legs raise in the air, before my lower back started hurting - I was losing my form and couldn't keep it.

I think my biggest thing is pushing myself. I find it hard at times to really push myself to the limit I need to go to in order to truly make a difference!

Sara 9-18-2008 @ 4:23PM

I have read about Smartsoles too and got a pair and they happen to be great. I am a waitress and on my feet a lot and they def help with circulation and make my legs feel more energized which makes it easier to be on my feet for 10 hours a day. I just wish they made so that they could fit in heels..They only work in flat shoes.