The Top Ten Mistakes People Make in the Gym

Posted at 10:07 AM, Apr. 13, 2005

This survey of 3,000 ACE-certified fitness professionals points out the biggest mistakes in the gym.

In some cases, these mistakes may simply mean the difference between an effective and an ineffective workout. Other mistakes, however, can be more costly, leading to strain and injury.

ACE, America's Authority on Fitness, shares the following mistakes commonly made in the gym and offers tips to help individuals stay safe during their workout.

1. Not stretching enough: Stretch immediately following an aerobic activity while your muscles are warm and pliable to prevent injuries.

2. Lifting too much weight: Never lift more than your muscles can handle. Gradual, progressive resistance is a far more effective -and safe - way to increase muscle strength.

3. Not warming up prior to activity: Muscles need time to adjust to the new demands aerobic activity places on them. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity.

4. Not cooling down after any type of workout: Take a few minutes to lower your heart rate and stretch your muscles. This improves flexibility and helps prepare the body for your next workout.

5. Exercising too intensely: It's more effective to sustain a moderate workout for longer periods of time than to exercise intensely for only a few minutes.

6. Not drinking enough water: Don't wait until you’re thirsty to drink water - you're already on your way to dehydration. Keep a water bottle close at hand during exercise and throughout the day.

7. Leaning heavily on a stairstepper: Leaning on the stairstepper is hard on both the wrists and the back. Lower the intensity to the point at which you can maintain good posture while lightly resting your hands on the rails for balance.

8. Not exercising intensely enough: Exercise intensely enough to work up a light sweat and get your heart beating in your training zone.

9. Jerking while lifting weights: When you have to jerk the weight, it's likely you're jerking other muscles as well. This can lead to strain and injury, with the muscles of the back being particularly vulnerable. Control the weight, don't let it control you.

10. Consuming energy bars and sports drinks during moderate workouts: Unless you're working out for longer than two hours per day, you don't need to supplement with high-energy bars and drinks. (High-energy is often a code word for high-calorie.)

Are You Getting Enough Exercise?

Posted at 9:58 AM, Apr. 13, 2005

Only one in four U.S. adults get the recommended amount of daily exercise, which is 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week, or 20 minutes of vigorous activity three days per week.

Even worse: Nearly one in three Americans admits they don’t exercise at all.

The culprits? High-stress jobs and an abundance of sedentary distractions, such as cable television and the Internet, according to some experts.

Sandra Ham, a statistician with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), believes Americans see exercise as an inconvenience, an attitude which is closely linked to inactivity and obesity, which kills 180,000 Americans each year. And that number is rising.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.