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Avoid These 10 Gym Fails

Just because you've been working out at the gym for a few months or years, that doesn't make you infallible! Even the most experienced gym-goers make some pretty foolish blunders when they get to thinking they know best.

Here are a few silly gym fails to avoid:

  1. Ignoring the trainer -- If the trainer tells you that you're doing something wrong, it's worth taking their advice. They've studied exercise and training, so they probably know more about it than you do.
  2. Refusing a spotter -- No matter how heavy or light your weight, it's always best to work with a spotter. You don't want to be alone when you hit muscle failure, as that's when you need the most help to complete your set. If you have to wrestle the weight back into place, you're more likely to injure yourself.
  3. Lifting too heavy -- If you try to lift too heavy and fail, you'll look foolish. Work with the weight you can handle, and only increase your weight slowly. The heavier you lift, the higher your risk of injury.
  4. Screaming -- Yes, you're working hard to lift the weights, but so is everyone around you, and you don't hear them screaming. The occasional grunt is to be expected, but screaming is a waste of oxygen and effort.
  5. Treadmill fail -- Keep your shoelaces tied tightly. Run in the center of the treadmill. Keep your eyes focused straight ahead. Don't run too far back or forward. Be prepared for the belt to stick or shift, especially if you're running at an incline or you weight a bit more than average.
  6. Not gripping the barbell right -- When doing bench presses, don't make the silly mistake of tucking your thumbs under the bar. Your thumb always goes AROUND the bar in a proper grip. If you don't hold the barbell right, it could slip and crush vital organs!
  7. Ignoring the weight clips -- Even the most experienced lifters use clips! All that hard work and straining can cause you to sway or wobble, and there's a serious chance the weight discs will slip. There is nothing more embarrassing than the thunderous crash of your weights slipping off your barbell and hitting the ground.
  8. Unloading the barbell wrong -- ALWAYS unload the barbell as evenly as possible. If you don't, it could tip and smack you a nasty blow in the chin. Make sure the weight is always fairly balanced, especially with old-school racks!
  9. Powerlifting incorrectly -- Powerlifting involves some pretty high-risk movements, such as the Snatch, the Clean and Jerk, the Power Press, and more. You're lifting a lot of weight with explosive movements, and there is a serious chance of injury. Make sure you know how to do these exercises correctly before you try them!
  10. Pulling the pin -- When using the Pull-Down machine, be careful when you pull the pin from the stack of weights. If there is an overhead attachment (D-handles, pressdown bar, etc.), the sudden removal of the counterweight will cause the handle to drop and smack you on the head.

Avoid these gym fails to save yourself from some SERIOUS embarrassment and/or injury!

Some people get lucky and are born with fit, toned bodies. Andy Peloquin is not one of those people. Fitness has come hard for him, and he's had to work for it. His trials have led him to becoming a martial artist, an NFPT-certified fitness trainer, and a man passionate about exercise, diet and healthy living. He loves to exercise -- he does so six days a week -- and loves to share his passion for fitness and health with others.

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