How many nasty habits have you picked up that will sabotage training and leave you or your clients injury prone and underachieving? You probably are not even aware of these habits, but after reading through these you’ll notice that you or your clients may have some work to do.
Bad habits impede progress. Breaking bad habits is hard. Recognizing them and nipping them in the bud is the only way you’ll get back on track toward results. Are you undermining your own exercise program? Do your habits impede on the progress of your clients too? Take notice of these for the benefit of yourself and your clients.
Before training
Psyching up for your workout includes getting your head into the gym before your body actually arrives. This doesn’t require an out-of-body experience, just a little forethought. It means thinking about things that will affect the quality of your exercise session and overall results before you lift a single weight. Do you recognize any of these bad habits?
1.) Working out on an empty stomach
It would be foolish to eat a gigantic meal immediately before your workout, and entering the gym on a completely empty stomach is just as irrational, especially if you exercise in the morning. A too-low blood-sugar level will add up to an uninspired workout due to a lack of energy, and your hunger pangs may hinder your resolve to complete your session or can lead to overeating later. To keep your body energized and ready to hit the gym at any time, eat five smaller meals spaced equally during the day. If you still need an extra boost before your workout, choose a piece of fruit or bottle of fruit juice rather than a sugar-filled soft drink or energy bar.
2.) Not warming up properly
Finding the time to make it to the gym can be a workout in itself. After all, the day has only so many hours, and by the time you allow time for sleep, work and family, you barely have enough time left to exercise. But skipping a warm-up when you’re running short on time couldn’t hurt, right? Wrong! Failing to complete a proper warm-up may leave you unusually sore and possibly injured after your workout. Warming up should include at least five minutes of a cardiovascular activity such as running, walking or biking, followed by some light weight bearing movement and stretching to ease your major muscle groups into training. Stretching maintains normal range of motion in the joints and pliability of the muscles and tendons, making them more injury-resistant and producing a better overall workout.
3.) Not being mentally prepared
Getting the most out of your training has as much to do with being mentally prepared as being physically tough. Leave work, home or relationship issues behind and focus all of your attention on the task at hand. As you perform each set for whichever body part you’re working envision the abs, pecs or shoulders you’ve always wanted. Creating the image or goal in your mind is the first step to achieving it; then set goals and revise them frequently as you progress. Before you know it, your workout will be over and your day-to-day distractions will seem insignificant.
In the gym
You have made it to the gym, but you aren’t out of harm’s way yet. The following roadblocks can derail your goals and possibility cause injury even when you think you are on track.
4.) Sitting still between sets
After a hard set, fatigue begins to set in and you may be inclined to take a breather. Sitting still after performing a hard set can cause blood to pool in your fatigued muscles and lead to stiffness. Performing mini-stretches between sets or staying on your feet and walking a bit can invigorate your muscles, increase circulation and enhance your next set. Especially important, stay on your feet and keep your legs moving between sets when working your lower body.
5.) Neglecting your weak spot
We all like to do things that we do well; the sense of accomplishment and pride after a job well-done can be a great ego boost. Think about it: if you have fabulous lats, don’t you have just a little more fun on that training day than you do on others? Isn’t it easier to focus and exert the effort required to finish that day’s workout, too? If you answered yes to either question, you’ve developed at least one nasty habit–neglecting your weak spot.
Overlooking the least desirable parts of your anatomy and training your favorites will leave your physique unbalanced. If you’re less than thrilled with a specific body part, seize the opportunity to focus a little more effort on training that particular muscle. This may be unpleasant at first, but you’ll grow to love that body part as it responds to your increased attention. After all, a muscle grows only when you expose it to progressive stress loads, so load up and let ’em have it! Soon you’ll have to find another body part to designate as your least favorite.
6.) Ignoring the negative
Current research shows that an important part of any repetition for increasing strength, size and flexibility as the negative portion. A good rule of thumb is to attend to the negative at least as much as the positive portion. To get the most out of each set, take the time to feel the muscle fibers engage and fatigue. You may have to initially decrease the amount of weight you lift, but the end result will be worth it.
Sacrificing form
Paying more attention to the weight you are lifting rather than proper form can leave you without results and ultimately set you up for injury. Though the poundages you left are important for strength and size increases, correfct form ensures that you’re moving the joints through their proper range of motion and actually working the intended muscle. Using momentum to complete the last reps in a set may boost your ego, but it won’t do a whole lot for your body. Maintain proper form and let your muscles, not momentum, do the work.
After training
When you’re done with your workout, only half of your work is done. The following post-workout habits can leave your body aching for attention.
7.) Not replenishing fluids lost while training
Sweat and the stress of working out can deplete your body of fluid as well as essential vitamins and minerals. If you also smoke or drink coffee or alcohol, your risk of fluid depletion is even higher. Drink water before, a little during, and definitely after every workout. If dehydration or thirst isn’t enough to get you on the bottle, remember that water is important for the fat-burning process.
8.) Not getting adequate rest
Knowing when to back off and let your body recuperate is just as crucial as knowing when to push it. Don’t be afraid to take a day or two off if your body needs it, or to catch an extra wink before your next workout.
Don’t let nasty habits derail your training program, notice these in your own and in your clients effect on progress. Staying on track takes time, hard work and attention… start to pay attention to you first, and then you can be a better personal trainer for your clients too!
