Fitness & exerciseGeneral wellness

6 ways you are sabotaging your workout

Reap the benefits of your time at the gym by dodging these workout no-nos.

Jan, 2026
LearnWorkout nutrition6 ways you are sabotaging your workout
Slide 1
Mistake #1: You’re not fueling right
Mistake #2: You stretch incorrectly—or not at all
Mistake #3: You practice bad form
Mistake #4: You forget your core
Mistake #5: You’re working out too hard
Mistake #6: You’re relying on the numbers

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Slide 1

Whether you’re a regular at the barre studio, set up shop in your basement or have sessions with a trainer, regular exercise lowers heart disease risk, improves bone strength and reduces stress. However, some fitness mistakes like forgetting to stretch could actually sabotage your workout.

Practicing the proper techniques and eating the right foods can help maximize your workout and lower your risk for injuries, says Omar Selod, DO, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Medical City Fort Worth in Texas. Here are the most common workout mistakes plus ways to correct them.

Written byOlivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed byMark Arredondo, MD.September, 2025

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