The 7 Biggest Mistakes In Weight Lifting
If you want to build up muscle over time, it's crucial for you to develop good habits. Building muscle continuously requires you to be regularly doing the right thing and taking the right steps. Unfortunately, people sometimes get into bad habits without being aware that they're risking their health and adversely affecting their progress. To help you make the right decisions, here is a list of the 7 worst muscle building habits and how to avoid them:
1) The worst of all! Taking steroids, this is dangerous for a whole variety of reasons take your pick from any of the following: different coloured spots on the body, acne, swelling of the legs and feet, bad smelling breath and yellowing of the skin, dizziness, trembling, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, premature balding, aching joints, liver damage, high blood pressure, palpitations, cardiovascular disease and reduction of your final adult height. If you want even more reason not to take steroids how about: testicular shrinkage, impotence, pain on urination, breast development and even sterility. Enough said.
2.) Over lifting. Yes, trying to lift more weight than your training partner can be highly motivating, but be careful about it. Not only can lifting too much weight decrease your muscle gain, it can also cause you severe injuries. If you find yourself unable to lift or lower a weight, or can't lift it with a controlled motion and have to use momentum to get it up, then you're lifting too much weight and need to lower it before you hurt yourself.
3) Eating too much protein. Everyone knows protein is good for you and helps you build muscle, but it's possible to consume too much. An average person's protein intake is about a gram or less of per kilo of body weight a day. A muscle building athlete consumes more, at about 1.7 grams of protein per kilo of bodyweight. Consuming more than this could lead to osteoporosis and irreversible kidney damage. You could even damage your heart over time, due to protein byproducts released by your body.
4) Taking stimulants. Stimulants might not be prohibited, but they often come with numerous dangerous side effects, and it would be wise to exercise caution when taking them - or better yet, not using them at all. Stimulants such as ephedrine have been known to cause heart palpitations, heart attacks and strokes. For a less dangerous pick-me-up, try a caffeine pill instead. If you have any concerns at all about what you're taking, be sure to get a doctor's opinion first.
5.) Working out on an empty stomach to burn fat. Energy comes from your body burning carbohydrates, which means that if you haven't given your body any carbs, there's nothing to burn, and no chance at having a good workout. Instead, you'll be unable to lift easily or well, you'll get the shakes, maybe even a dizzy spell when you stop due to a crash in blood sugar. Try a pre-workout snack like rice, fruit, or fresh vegetables.
6) Failing to stretch or warm up properly. In order to prevent debilitating injuries such as ligament strains and muscle tears, it's extremely important that you prepare your body for exercise. This also has the effect of improving your performance, range of motion, and posture. Spending about 10 minutes warming up is a wise and effective use of your time.
7) Not keeping a training diary. Without this how do you intend to monitor your progress? How can you keep a track on your personal best lifts. A training log is very motivating and simple to do. Why do you not make use of one.
OK, the above are a few pointers but mainly relax be safe and enjoy your workouts most of the time a healthy dose of common sense is enough to ensure your safety.
1) The worst of all! Taking steroids, this is dangerous for a whole variety of reasons take your pick from any of the following: different coloured spots on the body, acne, swelling of the legs and feet, bad smelling breath and yellowing of the skin, dizziness, trembling, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, premature balding, aching joints, liver damage, high blood pressure, palpitations, cardiovascular disease and reduction of your final adult height. If you want even more reason not to take steroids how about: testicular shrinkage, impotence, pain on urination, breast development and even sterility. Enough said.
2.) Over lifting. Yes, trying to lift more weight than your training partner can be highly motivating, but be careful about it. Not only can lifting too much weight decrease your muscle gain, it can also cause you severe injuries. If you find yourself unable to lift or lower a weight, or can't lift it with a controlled motion and have to use momentum to get it up, then you're lifting too much weight and need to lower it before you hurt yourself.
3) Eating too much protein. Everyone knows protein is good for you and helps you build muscle, but it's possible to consume too much. An average person's protein intake is about a gram or less of per kilo of body weight a day. A muscle building athlete consumes more, at about 1.7 grams of protein per kilo of bodyweight. Consuming more than this could lead to osteoporosis and irreversible kidney damage. You could even damage your heart over time, due to protein byproducts released by your body.
4) Taking stimulants. Stimulants might not be prohibited, but they often come with numerous dangerous side effects, and it would be wise to exercise caution when taking them - or better yet, not using them at all. Stimulants such as ephedrine have been known to cause heart palpitations, heart attacks and strokes. For a less dangerous pick-me-up, try a caffeine pill instead. If you have any concerns at all about what you're taking, be sure to get a doctor's opinion first.
5.) Working out on an empty stomach to burn fat. Energy comes from your body burning carbohydrates, which means that if you haven't given your body any carbs, there's nothing to burn, and no chance at having a good workout. Instead, you'll be unable to lift easily or well, you'll get the shakes, maybe even a dizzy spell when you stop due to a crash in blood sugar. Try a pre-workout snack like rice, fruit, or fresh vegetables.
6) Failing to stretch or warm up properly. In order to prevent debilitating injuries such as ligament strains and muscle tears, it's extremely important that you prepare your body for exercise. This also has the effect of improving your performance, range of motion, and posture. Spending about 10 minutes warming up is a wise and effective use of your time.
7) Not keeping a training diary. Without this how do you intend to monitor your progress? How can you keep a track on your personal best lifts. A training log is very motivating and simple to do. Why do you not make use of one.
OK, the above are a few pointers but mainly relax be safe and enjoy your workouts most of the time a healthy dose of common sense is enough to ensure your safety.
About the Author:
Don't waste your time, effort and money on B.S. "Miracle Programs" that don't deliver results! Learn the honest truth revealed by a genuine weight lifting expert and finally start noticing the gains you want. You can also read our Weight Lifting Exercises and articles.
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