8 Common Exercise Mistakes

If you want the benefits from exercise, consider these common mistakes:

Not warming up before an activity: Your muscles, heart and lungs need time to get ready for the demands of aerobic activity. Start slowly and then gradually boost your intensity.
Not cooling down after a workout: Take a couple minutes after you finish your work out to lower your heart rate to avoid blood pooling and dizziness.
Failing to stretch when your muscles are warm: Make sure you stretch your muscles when you are warm. Stretching will help to increase your flexibility.
Not drinking enough water: Many exercisers wait until thirst hits to drink water, and by that time you're on your way to dehydration. When you're outside you leave yourself vulnerable to heat stroke. Keep a water bottle close by all the time. Your body works more effectively when it's properly hydrated.
Eating/drinking energy and sports bars during short workouts: Remember: High-energy is code for high-calorie. If you're not working out for two or more hours a day, you don't need them.
Lifting too much weight: Never lift more than your muscles can handle. Gradually increase resistance to boost muscle strength.
Jerking while you lift weights: What you're doing is using the momentum to lift, not your muscles. This leads to strain and injury, leaving your back muscles vulnerable.
Not working your whole body: You need to make sure your work out is balanced between all of your muscles. Imbalance can lead to injury.