6 Common Exercise Mistakes Beginners Make

Like everything else you try, it's a good idea to learn how to avoid exercise mistakes in the beginning so that your workouts are productive, rewarding, and enjoyable from the start. To help you prepare and get the most out of your commitment to exercise, consider these common exercise mistakes beginners tend to make:

Exercise Mistake #1: Not Setting Goals

According to the American Council on Exercise, many people who drop out of their exercise routine never set clear, realistic goals, or even any goals at all. If you don't have any metrics, your progress won't motivate you. With that in mind, try to set short-term and long-term goals.

For example, you might want to lose 50 more pounds, but if you focus on your short-term goals and lose the next 5 pounds, you might do better. These short-term achievable goals may help you feel like your long-term goals aren't far off.

Exercise Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Warm-Up

Most people are better off just warming up than exercising without warming up at all. Warm-up activities relax your joints and gently increase blood flow, heart rate, and body temperature, preparing you for a more intense workout. Sometimes a warm-up can also provide the necessary mental preparation.

A great way to warm up is with a foam roller. If you're a beginner, use these foam rolling exercises before your next workout.

Exercise Mistake #3: Sticking to Only One Exercise

According to the National Institutes of Health, physical activity should help build strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance. Obviously, some types of exercise focus more on one or two of these benefits than others.

Plus, mixing up your fitness routine can save you from boredom, shorten rest periods, and speed up recovery. For example, if you lift weights one day to build strength, you might use the treadmill the next day to build endurance and give your muscles time to recover.

Exercise Mistake #4: Avoid Strength Training

In addition to building muscle, strength training can help you improve and maintain bone density as you age. More muscle mass may also increase your calorie burn, making it easier to lose weight and maintain a healthy appearance.

Exercise Mistake #5: Forgetting to Stretch

Stretching before and after a workout may help relieve pain and prevent delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Because stretching improves blood flow. It can also help you repair tired muscles and shorten training intervals.

Exercise Mistake #6: Skipping Professional Guidance

A professional trainer will help you avoid the typical fitness problems that cause most beginners to stumble. They help you exercise right, set the right goals, and keep you motivated.