4 Common Form Workout Mistakes

After launching Les Mills Body Pump 96 this week my body definitely needed a break, sore is an understatement! Who does Body Pump? What did you think of these tracks? Triceps=killer. After the launch with new workout moves, and with a group of new workout goers with resolutions, I thought it was a good time to discuss the importance of doing moves with correct form.

Form is so important in your workouts and can make a huge difference in your results! As a group fitness instructor, I see many examples of good and bad form and always try to help each individual. However, if you aren’t one my class-goers, I thought I’d share the most common form mistakes for you to check.

And not to offend you, but you’re probably doing at least one move wrong. When I went through training to be an instructor I was shocked how many tiny tweaks were pointed out to me that I had been doing wrong… moves that I had been inaccurately doing for nearly 10 years! The small adjustments left me sore and feeling the work in all the right places. Be open to hearing what instructors, trainers or even workout buds tell you and you will feel the difference!

4 Common Form Workout Mistakes

Planks
The Bad: No booties in the air! No tummies sticking out!

The Good: Push back through those heels, squeeze those glutes. Body to be in a perfectly straight line. Wrists right under the shoulders. Abs in and neck aligned.

Lunges
The Bad: Knee pushing out over toe and not wide enough stance from foot to foot.

The Good: Have a wide enough stance so that you can press directly down and up. 90 degree bend in both legs. Abs in, shoulders back.

Upright Rows

The Bad: Lifting too high above chest.

The Good: For an upright row, people tend to break their wrists too much and lift too high. All you need to do is lift to the lower chest. Keep abs in and lead with your elbows.

Bicep curl

The Bad: The curl can be queen of bad form. It’s super tempting to recruit other muscles when the going gets tough!

The Good: Keep your elbows into your body and don’t let them release to the back. Abs in and shoulders back.

Hopefully those form mistakes aren’t you but might as well check it out in the mirror! Too often people assume they aren’t doing it wrong. Confirm you are doing these moves right in the comfort of your own home and you don’t have to tell anyone 😉

Happy exercising!