6 bad fitness habits of men, the most deadly!

Simply going to the gym does not guarantee that you will get a good workout. Reading a magazine while running, skipping breakfast to attend an aerobics class are things many people often do, but the effect is not as good as you think. Here are some tips from a personal trainer...

Simply going to the gym does not guarantee that you will get a good workout. Reading a magazine while running, skipping breakfast to attend an aerobics class are things many people often do, but the effect is not as good as you think. Here are the six worst gym habits personal trainers see every day, along with the best ways to stop you from wasting time in the gym.

Exercise while reading

If you're concentrating on reading a fashion magazine, it means you can't pay attention to the exercise you're doing at the same time. Amy Hoff, a fitness consultant at New York Sports Club, says reading while exercising is the worst thing you can do. "If you're going to work out, you have to focus on your body," she said. If you need to do something else at the same time to make your exercise less boring, Hof suggests putting on headphones and watching TV, which does not require the same concentration as reading.

Exercise until you sweat

Working up a sweat may feel like you've gotten a fuller workout, but you're really only losing a few pounds of water. Apart from being detrimental to health, it has no other effect. "One of the things that has puzzled me for 30 or 40 years is that people still try to lose weight by sweating too much," said Mark Ochipinti, president of the National Association of Fitness Industry Professionals. "They exercise in hot environments, thinking they can lose weight, but all they're doing is dehydrating themselves." Excessive sweating can also lead to cramps and other sports injuries. When exercising, make sure you have a bottle of water at hand so you can replenish your water at any time.

Stationary bike only

Simply riding a stationary bike or running on a treadmill will not provide the same strength training effect. "You can burn 100 calories walking a mile, but in the same 20 minutes doing weight-bearing exercise on a machine, you can burn 300 to 400 calories," Ochipinti says. Strength training can also help you strengthen the muscles needed for daily activities, such as climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects, and help you maintain your muscle shape and delay muscle relaxation due to aging.

Avoid weightlifting

Women often fear that lifting weights will make them look like bodybuilders. Actually, there is no need to be afraid. It's a common misconception that lifting weights or doing strength training will make women build big muscles. "Unless you're also taking growth hormone, that's not going to happen," Ochipindi said. "Lifting weights is not going to turn you into a horrible monster."

Exercising on an empty stomach

Exercising on an empty stomach is like running a tank without gas; your body needs energy to keep functioning. A healthy snack like oatmeal or a banana can be consumed on the drive to the gym and provide the extra energy you need for your next workout. This is especially important when exercising in the morning because your stomach is empty and the calories have been burned off overnight. You need to give it some fuel to get it started again.

Copycat without understanding the details

Going to the gym pretending to know it all will not do you any good. One of the worst habits for those new to the gym is to walk around the gym trying to imitate the people around you. There are usually some trainers in the gym. Ochipinti advises taking advantage of these coaches. "If you really have questions and want to know the correct form of exercise, don't hesitate to ask them," she said. "You have to know how to avoid sports injuries." Similarly, when you join a new fitness class, let the teacher know any discomfort or concerns. Your body will benefit from it.