Focus

With all the noise out there, it can be hard to focus on the things that really matter when it comes to becoming and staying fit. Below are 5 of the most popular training mistakes that I have seen clients fall victim to. Don't be one of them!

1. TOO MUCH AB WORK

Lose the obsession with your mid-section. Total body exercises (like squats or deadlifts) will burn more calories than crunches. Always. Period. End of story.

2. TOO MUCH CARDIO

Now don't get me wrong, cardio is great, but balance is important. Cardio does not make you stronger nor does it increase bone and tendon density, that's what the weight room is for.

3. WORKOUT MONOGAMY

Do you do the same 4-mile loop at the same pace or lift the same amount of weight in the same succession every gym sesh? In order to progress you need to add variety to your workout routine. That means lifting harder and training in intervals.

4. WORKOUT PROMISCUITY

Doing every exercise you know every time you enter the gym isn't efficient. Instead, adopt a simple training plan. Do your research and narrow down your routine to 4 or 5 exercises for each muscle group. Train a different muscle group every day.

5. FEAR OF FOOD

Food is life. You aren't going to make gains if you aren't feeding your body the nutrients it needs. Food helps build muscle and aids your body in recovery.

Image Credit: Blondinrikard Fröberg via Flickr

Get in touch if you'd like help focusing on the right things to do 310.251.7420

Of all the articles I have written for Active.com over the last few years, guess which one continues to get the most hits? The one I wrote outlining the 8 best core-strengthening exercises for endurance athletes!

It's not surprising since buzz words "core" and "abs" seem to be thrown around quite often these days. You can't pick up a fitness or beauty magazine without seeing a headline like "How To Get The Best Abs in Hollywood." But just because a fitness model or celebrity has washboard abs, doesn't mean that she has a strong core or that she would be able to handle a rigorous endurance event. For that, you'll need to include some core work into your fitness routine.

So, How Much Core Work Should I Be Doing?

2-3 days a week (at most) for no more than 15 minutes each. I want to clarify that I am only referring to isolated ab exercises. I recommend doing ab exercises that can easily be measured so you can see your progression; weighted plank (heavier weight), russian twist (heavier ball) and renegade rows (heavier dumbbells).

If you suffer from tight hip flexors, you should stay away from exercises that may make the problem worse such as crunches, sit-ups and hanging knee raises.

While your strength training program should definitely include core work, you should rarely make it the focus.

image by Richard Yuan, Flickr

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Erik's Weekly Fitness Tip | Don't Make These 5 Mistakes