Avoiding Exercise Errors :

So you finally invested in some workout equipment or joined a gym. Now you are ready to turn that sedentary lifestyle around. But before you make the transition from couch potato to fitness freak, here are some common exercise errors to avoid.

Before You Get Physical, Get A Physical
Don’t forget to consult with your physician before beginning any new exercise program. According to eDiets Chief Fitness Pro Raphael Calzadilla, people often underestimate the importance of getting their doctor’s approval.

“You want a clean bill of health when you first start exercising,” Raphael says. “You need to understand what is going on in your body .”

According to Raphael, another important reason to get a physical before you start exercising is to find out if there are any fitness activities you should avoid due to your current condition. Just consider this initial check-up the first of many snapshots of your physical fitness. In fact, it will give you a great basis for measuring your progress later on.“A lot of people disregard the fact that they might be on certain medications,” Raphael says. “This can have an impact on your workout routine because some medication may create an elevated heart rate or prevent you from being able to spend too much time in the sun.”

Don’t Do Too Much Too Soon
Though exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle , many people have a tendency to do too much too soon. According to Raphael, this is often the worst error someone can make.

“Most people start an exercise program after they have been sedentary for too long,” Raphael says. “Then they forget all about the importance of rest and recovery.”

Raphael says this is like going on a crash diet because it puts your body into shock. He says it is possible to begin a new exercise program and work out up to four days a week, as long as you remember to do moderate amounts of exercise. You can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your exercise sessions as you become more physically fit.

Get Instruction on Proper Form
So your doctor gave you a clean bill of health. Now you can start pumping iron, right? Wrong! First, be sure to get instruction on the proper technique. If you joined a gym, you should be entitled to a few introductory sessions with a licensed personal trainer. Your personal trainer will show you how to use the exercise equipment properly. Another great way to learn the proper movements is to view the exercise animations on eDiets.

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