The top 4 mistakes beginners make lifting weights

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Published 2017-07-07
Whether you’re trying to get bigger muscles, get stronger for your sport or just be a better overall athlete, resistance training can help you achieve your goals. Before you hit the weights, avoid these common mistakes beginners make in the weight room.

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Poor technique

Many newcomers to the gym just flail their arms and legs when they pick up a barbell or set of dumbbells. Instead, work with a personal trainer for a few sessions to learn the proper form for each exercise.

Too much weight

Start with lower weights than you think and increase slowly. You might get injured trying to lift more weight than you can safely control.

Badly designed exercise program

Don’t just focus on a few exercises and a couple parts of your body. Have a personal trainer create an exercise program that takes into account your goals, your body type and any injuries you have had.

Neglect of other aspects of fitness

Don’t ignore your cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, and mobility just to get bigger and stronger.

Watch this video for a more detailed explanation of these mistakes so you can stay safe and have better results in the gym!

All Comments (15)
  • @DrDavidGeier
    If you have questions about the injuries or treatments mentioned in this video, or about a sports or exercise injury, subscribe to my channel and click the bell to be notified of my Better Than Ever LIVE! streams, including an Ask Dr. Geier live show I do most Fridays at 12:00 PM ET.
  • @emilytermini3828
    Mistakes… Not stretching before and after lifting weights. Not hydrating enough or at all. When injured, you must heal first before continuing. Which leads me to my next point.. Not cycling out days for things like back/biceps, chest/triceps and legs/bum and core training. Not rolling sore areas (or just plain not rolling too) rolling is great for muscle building because it helps with blood circulation. Poor nutrition/ starving ones self while expecting gains.. Nutrition tip.. Magnesium helps with recovery and DHA is also great for muscle growth. Theres a lot I don’t know but thats some stuff I do.. 🤙🏽
  • @user-ks1yp3df5w
    One of the most common mistakes is lifting too heavy too quickly at beginner level
  • Most common mistakes; 1- Poor technique resulting in no benefit from the exercise. 2- Using too much weight. 3-Only focus on few exercises and not on the rest of the body. 4- Not focusing on other exercises like cardio, flexibility and mobility.
  • @lindaburgess9004
    As a health teacher at an High School, I noticed that students do not know how to lift properly, even after watching videos on weight lifting safety tips. Students do not apply what they have learn to get better. They want to do what they want to do, and not follow instructions given. FYI. Sincerely, The High School Health Teacher.
  • @magnoliamike
    Thanks I’ve been doing everything correct like you said, besides incorporating cardio on my rest days. I started slow with 10 lb dumbbells then went to 15 now I’m on 20 and I’m seeing results and I’m having fun with it . V
  • @dinosanchez8528
    Move up gradually, 100% agreed. And its ok to stay at the same weight until ur comfortable moving up. Its ok to decrease weight too.
  • 2 questions. Can you lift weights and not get all ripped. I am in my late 60 and my arms are turning to jelly. Questions 2. I was watching a video of MTG try to do so excessive lifts weird pull up looking like a plucked chicken and push ups with her arms tight into the side of her body. I was taught by my brothers wrestling and football and track. The way she does them looks extremely dangerous to me. But I was told it called cross fit. I see shoulder & back surgery in her future. What do you think about her style.
  • @nooblifter390
    But you don't need any mobility or flexibility training if you are just moving enough daily and the only thing stretching makes you better at is stretching. Although cardio is necessary but I completely disagree with stretching and mobility training...you don't need it if you are active enough.
  • @magnoliamike
    Yeah people forget to workout their wrists and forearms
  • Does walking count as cardio and stretching count As flexibility training?
  • 1:03 Mistake 1 - they use poor technique 1. People don’t know how to use gym equipment 2. Not getting benefit of the exercise 3. Solution: work with personal trainer