Working out is not as simple and straightforward as you might have initially thought. There is a lot to know about lifting weights, especially when you train like a bodybuilder with the goal of getting as muscular as you possibly can. In order to get the most from your workouts, you need to ensure that you’re training correctly. The problem is that many would-be bodybuilders are guilty of making very avoidable mistakes, and their training and their physiques are suffering as a result. If you’re not seeing the results you might have been hoping for in the gym, here’s a look at several bodybuilding mistakes holding you back in the gym.
Focussing on isolation exercises
If you’re trying to get in shape and build muscle, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is focussing primarily on isolation exercises. Now, don’t get us wrong, isolation exercises are certainly very beneficial, but they’re designed to target one muscle group. If you’re training for mass and size, compound exercises should be your priority. Focus mainly on compounds and finish up with one or two isolation exercises afterwards, once you’ve done your heavy compound lifting.
Not squatting deep enough
Everybody knows that true hardcore bodybuilders must perform squats if they want to bring up their legs. Squats are one of the most effective compound lower body exercises you could ever hope for, providing you do them properly. Too many bodybuilders and lifters in general will load up the bar and squat with a poor depth. Rather than squatting past parallel, they’re lucky if they get more than a couple of inches. You’re supposed to be squatting, not bending your knees slightly. To get the most from your squats, squat down until your butt is as low to the ground as possible. If that means stripping some plates off of the bar to make it lighter then so be it.
Ego lifting
On the subject of stripping weight off of the bar, far too many lifters out there are more concerned with looking big and strong in front of other gym-goers and social media users, rather than actually getting the most out of their training. To get the most from your training, one of the first things you need to do is ditch the ego. If you are unable to perform a perfect rep with good from because the weight is too heavy, then go ahead and use a lighter weight. Lifting with your ego means that you’ll get less from your training, plus it also means you’ll be more susceptible to injury. Basically, focus on lifting weights that you are comfortable with, rather than trying to lift heavy weights just to try and look strong in front of other people. Newsflash: 99% of the time, other people won’t actually care anyways.
Not having a program
How many of you reading this follow a structured training program on a weekly basis? Now, how many of you reading this have no training program and simply decide what they’re going to do in the gym on the day? We’d wager that those who follow a program are in better shape than those of you who adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to training. To get the most from your workouts, follow a structured training program and be sure to stick to it at all times.
