Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Fitness Flash from Denise Austin

Fitness Flash
Are You Committing a Fitness Faux Pas?
Are you sabotaging your own fitness agenda? Lots of people make certain mistakes when working out. Learn how to avoid these exercise pitfalls — your workouts will be safer and more effective! Here are six common workout problems — are you guilty? — along with solutions.

* Working out while tired: Not getting enough rest can lead to sloppy technique and an injury (not to mention crabbiness!). Get your rest the night before, or take a power nap right before exercising.
* Forgetting to warm up: Skipping a warm-up can lead to injury. It's best to warm up with dynamic stretches — moving stretches — and/or light cardio for about five minutes — your body will thank you later!
* Using momentum to lift weights: If you jerk your motions, you're not working your muscles and you could hurt yourself. Make sure your movements are slow and controlled — when you lift and when you lower weights.
* Leaning on the handrails of the stair-climber, elliptical trainer, or treadmill: This weakens the effect of your workout and can even injure your wrists and back. Instead, stand up tall and lightly hold the handrails for balance.
* Locking your knees: Always keep your knees slightly bent to prevent an injury.
* Getting stuck in a workout rut: Bordeom leads to quitting! Keep things fresh and interesting — change up your routine!

9 comments:

timeformetofly said...

I know that I am guilty of the last two, so thanks for the reminder!

Mary said...

Thanks for the reminder!! I am having muscle pain today and this is just what I needed! Need to remind myself more of the tips above :> :>

Christine Jeske said...

I think leaning on the stroller for support when walking outdoors has the same effect as on the machines.

Good tips! I needed the reminder too.

Hanlie said...

Thanks for sharing this with us! We can really get stuck in a rut with our fitness routine...

GF said...

Great tips - THANK YOU!

Cole Walter Mellon said...

Thankfully, there was nothing about shouting obscentities on the treadmill...

Jen, a priorfatgirl said...

I am so guilty of NOT warming up - I never do this. Thanks for the gentle nudge!

Diane said...

I have to say I love your blog! Great job. Thanks for the reminder about exercise form, etc. Keep up your good work - I lost 150 lbs years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did! D.

Unknown said...

These are all great reminders, thanks!