Everybody knows some of the classic workout moves – squats, planks and lunges for example. But are you doing them correctly? We list the 5 top exercises you might be getting wrong, along with videos of one of our personal trainers to show you the right way!
Lunges
Common Mistakes:
- Not stepping wide enough
- Bending at the waist
- Putting weight onto your toes, rather than your heel
- You can injure your knees when doing this exercise incorrectly
What You Should Be Doing:
- Front knee extended over the ankle
- Keep upper body straight
Squats
Common Mistakes:
- Leaning forward
- Bending your knees too much
- Only going halfway down
- Bending your knees inwards
- Going up onto your toes
What You Should Be Doing:
- Keep your feet firmly grounded
- Don’t lean, sit back on your heels
- Maintain good posture
Planks
Common Mistakes:
- Lifting your bum in the air
- Sinking your back, like a banana (This can cause back pain)
- Lifting your head upwards
- Lifting your back (this makes the exercise feel easier, but doesn’t work the correct muscles)
What You Should Be Doing:
(In this video, our trainer is doing a plank with added shoulder taps)
- Flex your abs and engage your core
- Keep your legs tight
Sit-Ups
Common Mistakes:
- Moving your head forward (straining your neck)
- Pulling your chin to your chest
- Pulling on the back of your neck with your hands
- Curving your back
- Going too fast (so you rock back and forth, rather than sit up)
- Using your arms to propel the sit-up movement
What You Should Be Doing:
- Keep feet firmly on the ground
- Lift from the hips
- Keep your back straight
- Lower down slowly
Press-Ups
Common Mistakes:
- Splaying your elbows out (this can damage your shoulders)
- Bending your back or hips
- Only going part way down into the press-up
What You Should Be Doing:
- Place your palms slightly wider than your shoulders
- Keep your body straight
- Engage your core
Have you been making any of these mistakes? Try these tips when you’re working out and you can make your exercises even more effective!