Developing an efficient fitness program is not easy. It is best to develop a fitness program that corresponds to your goals instead of letting someone else design a program for you. Keep reading to learn more about common fitness mistakes you should avoid.
Cardio is a great way to get in shape and strengthen your heart but you could end up burning your muscle mass if you overdo it. Plan on having a good cardio workout twice a week but give yourself enough time to build resistance before working on your cardio more frequently. If you have a hard time building your muscle mass, try reducing the time you spend working on your cardio.
Do not expect to build muscle mass if you exercise the same muscles constantly. Your muscles need a full day to heal and expand after a work out session. Exercising allows you to stretch your muscles. Your body develops muscle mass in the twenty four hours following a workout session and you will get better results if you allow your muscles to rest. Always stretch your muscles before and after a workout to avoid injuries and make the healing process easier.
You should not focus only on weight lifting. Lifting weights is a good way to develop your upper body but you should find other exercises that allow you to develop the rest of your body. You could for instance do crunches and squats to develop your legs and some abs for your midsection. Find some exercises that will help you build supple muscles instead of only focusing on your muscle mass. You could for instance join a dance class, practice yoga or learn a martial art.
Do not assume that building muscle mass requires you to eat more. You will get better results if you adopt a healthy diet that is rich in lean sources of proteins such as poultry, fish, eggs and nuts. Avoid red meat since it contains high amounts of fat. You do not need to eat more until you develop a significant muscle mass. Supplements can help you build muscles but you should not use them until you reach a plateau in your fitness program and cannot build more muscle mass in spite of working out as much as you can.
Do not add more exercises to your routines to build more muscle mass. You will get better results by doing more reps of a few different exercises. Each hour long workout session should include around five exercises. If you get tired, take a short break and go back to the exercise you were doing. You will be able to do a few more reps before taking another break. Set new goals by planning on doing a certain number of reps every week.
Avoid these mistakes and do your best to work out more regularly and for longer periods of time. You will get great results if you apply yourself and adapt your fitness program in function of your weekly or monthly goals.