When you have a job, kids, or other responsibilities, it can often be a struggle to stay in shape. However, once you create a routine and get into a good rhythm, a short run or lifting weights is just another part of your day. Adding a regular workout to your schedule is a significant first step in taking control of your health. Whether you join a fitness center or you exercise privately in your home, there are a few beginner mistakes you should avoid to ensure you are getting what you need while staying safe.

Beginner Workout Mistakes to Avoid

1. Focusing on Weight Loss

Having a goal weight is fine, but limiting your focus to dropping pounds will hinder your workout, especially once you’ve reached that target number. Finding other reasons to get to the fitness center will ensure that you maintain your goal weight. Create a list of the benefits of working out, like building strength and endurance or training for a race, and you will remain motivated.

2. Attempting to Spot Train

Focusing on only one area of your body does not work. While you can have goals about getting defined legs and a flat stomach, spot training won’t help. Instead, create a full-body workout and nutrition plan so that you are eating better, feeling better, and exercising all of your muscles for overall improvement.

3. Forgetting to Keep Track

Keeping track of what you do every day will help you stay on task. Write down the exercises performed, how heavy the weights were, how long your cardio workout was, and any other notes about your session. You will begin to see improvement as weights get more substantial, reps increase, and stamina builds, and those victories will motivate you to continue. Keeping track also helps you adjust your plan and find new ways of working out when something doesn’t feel right.

4. Skipping the Warm-Up

Warming up prepares your muscles, joints, and mind for the workout ahead. It gets you in the headspace of exercising and helps you push through whatever you have planned. More importantly, warming up prevents injury. Trying to jump into a workout with cold muscles can lead to sprains, strains, and pulls. Begin slowly with a brisk walk on a treadmill, increasing to a light jog. Once you feel warmer, stretch out your legs, arms, and back before beginning.

5. Overdoing It

While you want to get the most out of your fitness center membership, overdoing it will not help you progress. As a beginner, three times a week is a good start, and with a little planning or help from a personal trainer, you can get a complete workout in that time. As you get stronger, you can add days. Taking breaks is also necessary for muscle recovery and preventing injury.

If you’re looking for a fitness center to help you meet your health goals in Illinois, head to Lifesport Athletic Club-Lincolnshire. Their qualified staff will help address where you are in your fitness journey and assist you in creating a plan that will help you reach your goals. The health club has been the top choice for more than 40 years, with their professional personal trainers, yoga classes, group exercise classes, and tennis instruction for adults and children. For more on their programs, call (847) 913-2000 or visit their website for information on memberships.