The Top 10 Mistakes Gym Members Make...

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) recently polled 2,500 certified Fitness professionals to learn what they considered to be the top 10 mistakes being made by gym members. Here are the results:

1. NOT consuming a nutritious "meal" within one hour of workout: the optimal time for consuming a combination of protein and carbohydrates is immediately following an intense workout session.
   
2. NOT drinking enough water: in exercise, the key is hydration, hydration, hydration!
   
3. NOT warming-up properly: people who start their workouts full-force are likely candidates for injury and/or exhaustion.
4. SKIPPING a cool down: cooling down after a workout will lower the heart rate and prevent dizziness.
5. NOT stretching: stretching helps reduce the likelihood of injuries and increases muscle length and mobility.
6. LIFTING too much weight: if a complete range of motion is not possible, then they weight is most likely too heavy. More is not necessarily better!
7. USING momentum rather than muscles to lift weights: slow, controlled movements are what builds muscle strength.
8. BAD posture: people should never slouch or slump when exercising. Proper posture can prevent back injuries.
9. NOT exercising intensely enough: picking up the pace will help members achieve changes. If their workout is not challenging enough, then lack of results will be the consequence.
10. EXERCISING too hard: moderate exercise is the most effective. Many people think they can "make up" for missed workouts.