Gym Fails and How to Avoid Them

When it comes to working out in the gym, there’s certainly the potential to look a bit silly.  Don’t get us wrong, working out is a great thing to get into: it is an incredible way to change your whole life, showing you how amazing fitness can be and what it can do for you. However, it can also be a place where you see people doing some pretty bizarre stuff, and you don’t want to be one of them.

We’re here to save you from making the most common mistakes and give you some examples of the things you need to be avoiding, to make sure that you’re on the straight and narrow. It’s nothing too drastic, and you don’t need to be on edge or anything, but do keep them in mind for good gym etiquette.

Falling off Equipment

Starting with the more easily avoidable and obvious gym fails to make: make sure that you’re using the equipment safely and correctly. Far too often we see people falling off treadmills that are going way too fast or people not paying attention. People on their phones while using equipment too, it’s convenient yes, but it’s just not worth it. Really pay attention to what you’re doing and put your back into it, you’re there for a reason and don’t need to be wasting your own time, or even risking hurting yourself, and your ego.

Using Equipment Wrongly

Your training should be ever changing as you try out new things and make your workouts you own but do be careful. Too many people are quick to jump onto the first machine they see that has their muscle highlighted and start to do things dangerously or just straight up wrong. Do your homework if you want to try something out or ask for help. People in the gym are usually happy to lend a hand. We’re all in the same boat.

Lifting Too Heavy/fast

Sticking with the equipment theme, make sure you know what you’re doing when you’re lifting weights too. This is more of a beginner issue than for seasoned gym goers, but you see it no matter where you go. The number of people you see in the gym who are making a bicep curl into a full body swinging exercise or even lifting so quickly they’re making a draught. You aren’t trying to impressing anyone, and you aren’t helping yourself in any way in the long run. Try doing some research or working in front of a mirror so that you can track your technique and get the best out of your workouts.

Forgetting the Pegs on a Bar

Speaking of weights, don’t forget to set yourself up properly! Put. The. Pegs. On. The. Bar. Not only is it just the logical and smart thing to do, but it’s also dangerous and usually pretty hilarious not to. There are hundreds of viral videos of people weekly who are squatting or benching some huge weights without pegs, getting ready and into position, and with one little sway… Crash. You’ve dropped the weights at one side, causing you to plummet the other side down too, lost all your weights and probably fallen on your backside. Not a good look.

Benching too much without a spotter

When you’re using huge weights for compound exercises too, use a spotter. If you’re aiming for a new personal best or even just trying a new weight, activity or variation for the first time, get a spotter. It doesn’t make you look any worse, and it can really save you from an accident in some way. There’s nothing worse than seeing people on a bench press with a huge weight that can’t move and get stuck under a barbell, panicking like mad. The same goes for getting stuck on the descending part of the squat. It’s unsafe and just not a smart move.

Gym Attire

Clothing is not something we make a big deal about at exercise.co.uk since it has minimal effect on your exercise progress. What it does have an impact on, however, is how you look in the gym. Do not get us wrong here; wear whatever you want, no one worries about what you look like except you. Just maybe don’t wear something that’s going to split as soon as you try a squat, or something that turns transparent when you stretch it a little. Make sure your shorts or leggings are squat proof; you might get a few funny looks if everything turns transparent as you bend down! You want to feel as comfortable and confident as possible in your gym gear because when you feel confident, you can stop worrying about what you look like and focus on working out and achieving your fitness goals.

Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.

If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.