Love to mix up your workouts? Us too. Switching it up keeps classes interesting and helps you become stronger, faster, and more fit. While the health benefits of taking a range of boutique classes are great, there are also a few drawbacks of studio-hopping, as it takes longer to learn new exercise techniques and newbies are prone to making common mistakes.<\/p>\n
Below, fitness experts share the common mistakes you might be making in your favorite workouts (and how to fix them).<\/p>\n
Running<\/strong> Barre<\/strong> Cycling<\/strong> Aerobics<\/strong> Yoga<\/strong>
\nWhen it comes to running, the biggest mistake trainers see is failing to do it enough. \u201cIf you only run one to two times a week, you may never improve much, enjoy running, or experience many of the other benefits people talk about, [such as] a runner\u2019s high,\u201d Bethany Rutledge<\/a>, a USA triathlon certified coach explains. \u201cEven if you don\u2019t care about times or performance, you should plan to run at least three times a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMichelle Michaels, a Pure Barre<\/a> instructor, says that working to perfect your form during pushups is worth it. \u201cPushups done incorrectly is the most common mistake I see,\u201d she notes. \u201cLead with your chest, hips tucked under, back flat, and head in line with your spine. Go from your range of motion and work with a smaller one until you build up your upper body strength. Your hips should never touch the floor on the way down!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nGroup cycling classes are motivating and can inspire you, but be sure you\u2019re there to push yourself instead of competing with everyone else. \u201cIt\u2019s easy for the group element to bring out your competitive edge,\u201d Erin Moone, the co-founder of\u00a0StarCycle<\/a>, says. \u201cWorrying too much about what everyone else is doing is a common mistake that\u2019s easy to make. Stay focused on how you feel and what you need.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWorking extra hard in an aerobic sweat sesh just to lose weight is a common mistake, according to fitness instructor Pam Sherman<\/a>. \u201cMany people completely turn their backs to strength, which is so important to overall health.\u201d Sherman suggests pairing your cardio classes with weights to get into feel-good form.<\/p>\n
\nLove doing the tree pose during yoga? Celebrity yoga and meditation instructor Ava Johanna<\/a> says, while popular, this pose is the one she notices mistakes in most often. \u201cThere are many instances where I see students placing their lifted foot directly on their knee. The knee joint isn\u2019t meant to have pressure on it from the side, [and] pressing the sole of the foot into the knee to balance risks damaging the joint,” she says. “Instead, place your foot on the ankle, calf or inner thigh for support.\u201d<\/p>\n