While exercising regularly makes you look young (and live a longer life), certain mistakes at the gym end up doing more harm than good.
If you thought it was just the lugging belly or paunch that is making you look older, the type of workout you do and how you do it also has a role to play.
Just like overdoing certain exercises can spell health trouble and injure you, here are some other mistakes you should avoid making at the gym to look old.
Gym goers, pay attention!
Mistake # 1: Not focusing on your back posture
No matter how hard you work out at the gym, if you are not maintaining a good posture when you workout, exercising will be of no use. Poor posture or a stiff back can curve your spine, make you hunch or bend and lead to an array of health problems. It is very important to spend time at the gym practicing posture perfecting exercises to defy signs of slowness and aging. Remember, nothing makes you look older than a bad posture.
Mistake # 2: You are solely depending on cardio
While cardio makes for a great weight loss-aiding exercise, too much cardio can actually prove to be a bad thing for the body. After an age, if your bones and muscles do not get enough exercise, it can promote wear and tear and slow down your body. New workout guidelines also point out that all healthy adults between the ages of 18-50 should weight lift or focus on strength training exercises twice a week. What’s more? Strength training tones up your muscles but also burns calories even when you pause to work out.
Mistake # 3: You skip out on HIIT
Studies say that HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is not just a gruesome workout regime but it also can help delay aging at the cellular level. HIIT helps boost energy levels in the body, and consequently improve metabolic rates and insulin sensitivity in the body. Together, all these factors prevent the body from slowing down.
Mistake #4: You do not concentrate on the pelvic exercises
Pelvic exercises are tough but nonetheless, important. After an age, your pelvic floor muscles need attention and if not worked out religiously, it can create problems in and around the abdominal area, kidneys and promote urinary inconsistency. Kegel is one exercise you should incorporate into your regime.
Mistake #5: You are ignoring the stretches
Stretching before and after a workout is a step you should not miss out. If you skip this crucial step, you can trigger tension in the muscles and tissues which can contribute to premature aging at the cellular level. Stretching also adds to the body’s flexibility, making you better at your workout.
Mistake #6: You are at the gym all the time
Rest days are just as necessary as workout days. If you believe that spending countless hours at the gym is the secret to looking ageless, think again. Giving your body time to heal and recuperate is just as crucial. It will help you lower down cortisol levels which help fight stress and other chronic health issues slowing you down.
