Getting into better shape or maintaining your fit physique is one thing, but overdoing it is another. With so many different exercise techniques out there, it is sometimes difficult to know which workouts you should never do and which ones you should be doing all the time. Most of us do not always have access to a personal trainer, so it serves us best to know the information ahead of time.
1. Behind-the-Head Lateral Pulls
This workout is not a good idea, especially if you are concerned about pain and injury. Although this exercise can have some pretty fantastic results over time, it can wreak havoc on your shoulder joints in just a few pulls. As a general rule, workouts you should never do include ones that force you to do any unusual or unnatural movements.
2. Seated Knee Extensions
They say you should never skip leg day, but that doesn’t mean you have to be over-extending your knees in the process. Lifting heavy weights, like what is required for a seated knee extension, is not what the knee was designed to do, and it can cause some pretty serious problems pretty quickly. Remember that you should never do any workouts that require your joints to flex beyond their natural range of motion.
3. Leg Lifts
Hovering your legs above your body might work out your abs, but it is still definitely one of the workouts you should never do. This monster exercise actually stressed out your back muscles pretty badly, and it can eventually lead to serious pain or injury. Never do an exercise that causes you pain or discomfort in any way.
4. Thigh Machines
Your inner and outer thighs might need some coaching, but using thigh machines is not exactly the answer. Doing so actually increases your risk of developing a major strain in your lower back and hip region. Thighs are supposed to support movement and not support your entire weight, as they do with those machines. Don’t do anything that will enhance naturally occurring muscular imbalances.
5. Upright Rows
Sure, you might look cool doing those upright rows in front of the mirror at the gym, but you are actually doing more harm than good. This is, for sure, one of the workouts you should never do, mostly because it can do serious damage to your AC joint and nerves in your back. On top of that, it can eventually lead to arthritis. Don’t do any workouts that carry greater risks than benefits.
