Do you like getting your heart rate up and entering that ‘fat-burning’ zone with cardio? Well, a lot of people aren’t familiar with the common mistakes they make during their cardio workout. Let’s take a look at what they are and how you can fix them.

Going to the gym and getting on that elliptical every day doesn’t mean that you’ll be cutting down on unwanted fat. There’s a general misconception about ‘the-more-the-better’ when it comes to working out. Not only does it hinder you from achieving your fitness goals it can also lead to injuries. So, be aware of what you’re doing during your cardio training and how long you’re doing it.

1. Going Steady

A cardio workout is all about elevating your heart rate. You need to use your body to make it sweat and in turn improve your cardiovascular health. Getting on a treadmill and reaching an elevated yet steady heart rate won’t do you any good.

Try changing things up a bit. Get off the machine after a couple of minutes and add in skipping or even jumping jacks. Doing so will enable you to spend less time running on a treadmill while also enhancing your body’s efficiency.

2. Eating Before

Working out, especially doing cardio, on an empty stomach isn’t recommended. However, that also doesn’t mean that you eat a full meal mere 30 minutes before exercising. Exercising on a full stomach isn’t going to provide you with energy, it’s just going to weigh you down and even cause cramping.

It’s recommended that you eat a protein bar or perhaps even a banana, something that won’t weigh you down, a couple of minutes before working out.

3. Using Your phone

Whether you’re doing a low-impact or a high-impact cardio exercise regime, you need to maintain your focus. If you’re able to text or read messages during exercise, then that’s a sure sign that you aren’t working your body hard enough.

Maintaining focus will enable you to become aware of your body and learn how far you can push yourself for the best results. Listening to music during a cardio session is fine, just don’t let your mind wander off.

4. Eating After

While cardio can help you get rid of unwanted fat, it doesn’t mean that you’re free to eat whatever and whenever you want. Working a sweat after an intense session will make you feel hungry, but that doesn’t mean that you reach out for a burger.

You need to be aware of the overall calorie intake while hitting the gym. Eat a bowl of fruit salad after a cardio session to fill yourself up instead of picking up a can of sweetened soda and some fries. Remember that you’ll only be able to reach your body goals in a healthy manner if you pair exercise with the proper diet.

5. Repeating The Same Routine

It’s easy to fall into a habit while working out. You end up using the same gym equipment and doing the same cardio routine. Your body is capable of adapting to whatever you throw at it, and this can lead to plateauing (not seeing any changes because your body has become used to the exercise you do).

So, change things up a bit. Surprise your body by going to the gym at a different time once or twice a week.

For you to achieve the best results, make sure you don’t make the cardio mistakes mentioned above. It is also recommended that you always talk to your trainer about your exercise plan. Furthermore, select a gym like Fitness Nation that can cater to your exercise needs.

You’ll see good examples of the gyms you should be looking for by researching 24 Hour Fitness Centers in Bedford or any Fitness Gym in Arlington.

Remember, less is more when it comes to exercising as long as it’s done properly.