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June 19, 2023 By Aruna Bhatia Leave a Comment

5 Biggest Workout Mistakes You Need To Avoid

workout mistakes

The importance of good exercise is known to us all. Some of the benefits of regular exercise include improved heart health, bone and muscle strength, improved immunity, better digestion and sleep among others. But let’s also throw some light on five basic and common workout mistakes that most of us usually make while beginning on an exercise regime.

5 Workout Mistakes To Avoid

1. Ignoring Warm Up and Skipping Cool Down
A warm up routine increases blood flow to our muscles. It’s purpose is to prevent injuries by increasing core and muscle temperature. A good warm up also increases the range of motion. In its absence, we may place unnecessary strain on our heart and lungs, risking injury. It’s the same when we skip a post workout cool down. Cool down allows body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate to return to normal, reducing the chances of fainting and dizziness. Also, cool down stretches allow the muscles to stretch and relax.

2. Being Inconsistent
People are very enthusiastic at the beginning of a new workout regime and with this enthusiasm, they tend to go too fast and burn out. Instead, one should progress slowly and gradually, starting with exercises that are suitable and aligned to their current fitness level. It’s important to maintain consistency.

3. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is majorly underestimated. A good six to eight hours of sleep doesn’t just energize your body but also helps muscle growth, recovery, strengthening the immune system and virtually all aspects of health. It definitely is worth adjusting your schedule for.

4. Not Analysing Progress The Right Way
Not monitoring and listening to your body cues is probably the biggest workout mistake you can make. Always keep a tab on checking body part measurements as muscle growth may not be visible on a scale. Paying attention to how you feel throughout your workouts and checking results will make your workout more effective and meaningful.

5. Improper Hydration
In an hour of exercises, the body loses almost one fourth of its water content. This may lead to muscle fatigue due to lactic acid build up as well as cramps. One should be careful not to drop hydration levels and take small sips of water between workouts as well as pre and post workout. Drinking enough water (2.5-3 liters a day) helps in better absorption of protein, vitamins and minerals from food.

We hope this article helps you avoid these common workout mistakes. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on fitness and workouts, check out Healthy Reads or get personalized health advice from a GOQii Coach by subscribing here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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June 12, 2023 By Mohammed Tufail Qureshi 1 Comment

All You Need To Know About Creatine

CreatineIf you regularly workout in the gym chances are that often you could get some sorts of advice in terms of what you should be eating, which is the right protein supplement that you should take, etc. Getting advice is one thing and but, nobody should take any supplement or put anything in their body without weighing the benefits and risks first. This goes for everything from beer to marshmallows to the amazing amino acid called Creatine.

What Is Creatine?

Creatine is a combination of three different amino acids, glycine, arginine, and methionine. Creatine is a well known substance, and while it offers benefits in terms of muscle and strength gain, it can also generate an energy boost that assists muscle recovery and decreases muscle fatigue.

When you take creatine in the powder form – it is in your blood stream for about 1 – 1.5 hours. For muscle growth, the creatine must be absorbed into the muscles. If you are working out and deplete your creatine supply in your muscles and you have creatine available in the blood stream, your muscles can replenish their creatine supply from the creatine in your blood.

How Does Creatine Help You? 

It is a naturally present nutrient in foods like meat, to some extent in certain types of fish but in low quantity. It gets stored in the muscle & regenerates ATP to produce explosive power output. Everyone from gym users, bodybuilders, power sports players to endurance athletes can see lean muscle gains, increased endurance, speedy recovery and improved performance with creatine.

When Should You Take Creatine? 

It is recommended to take creatine monohydrate with a simple carbohydrate source to help it absorb more quickly. A good time to take creatine would be right after your workout and early morning after waking up. It is highly absorbed post workout and first thing in the morning.

On rest days, creatine can help muscle recovery and can be consumed early morning after waking up along with simple carbs.

Creatine draws water to the muscles, so if you are not drinking enough water, dehydration and muscle cramps can be an issue. Also, due to the accumulation of creatine in the small intestine, you may experience stomach pains, diarrhea and an upset stomach. So drinking water and proper dosage is highly recommended.

Best taken in a cycle, 2 months on and 1 month off – 5gm/day.

If this article helped you, let us know in the comments below. You can find more articles on fitness here. To get more expert advice like this, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing to Personalised Health Coaching here.

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June 3, 2023 By GOQii 2 Comments

Why Cycling Is One Of The Best Ways To Stay Active!

cycling

Cycling is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to get fit. In fact, it is the best way to stay active! If your workplace is at a distance of 4-5km, it’s the best mode of transport as well.

If you’ve been glued to social media, you might have realized that a lot of people have taken to cycling – either solo on in a group. If you’re new to cycling or if your city doesn’t have specific trails for it, here are some measures you should follow:

  • Wear a helmet
  • Stay to the left side of the road.
  • Ride on well–lit paved roads and if possible, bike paths. If there are no bike paths, take the service roads. 
  • Wear reflective clothing and have front and back lights
  • Use arm and hand signals to indicate turns.

Furthermore, ensure that your bike is adequately maintained. Proper clothing (t-shirt and padded shorts are recommended). You also require a proper fitting helmet, padding (optional), bike reflectors, flashers and headlights, gloves, proper shoes and eye protection.

What Are The Health Benefits of Cycling?  

Before we go on to the health benefits, it is important to understand the correct sitting posture on a cycle. Maintaining proper posture is important not only for efficiency but also to prevent any form of injuries and aches.

Cycling is easy on the joints because you put your weight on a pair of bones in the pelvis called the ischial tuberosities unlike walking, where you put your weight on your legs. It is good for anyone with joint pain or age-related stiffness.

Regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It can also improve your mood and keep your weight under control. Adults should ride at least for one hour daily. It decreases stress levels and increases muscle strength and flexibility. It also strengthens your immune system! Cycling releases endorphins, which makes you feel young at heart. Furthermore, it improves your stamina! 

It is an incredibly sociable sport. Joining a cycling club or group is an excellent way to grow your social circle and stay fit and active at the same time! 

We hope this article motivates you to take up cycling and improve your health! For more on staying active and living healthy, check out Healthy Reads or get the best tips to improve your cycling experience from a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here.

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May 30, 2023 By Jigna Sheth 1 Comment

Effective Stretches For Muscle Recovery After A Workout

muscle recovery

Every athlete, no matter how good, always follows a workout pattern to avoid injury, pain or stress to muscles. This usually begins with a warm up and ends with a cool down. Both are necessary as they improve performance, reduce the risk of injury and decrease muscle tension. They also improve flexibility, keep the blood flowing and help one attain better posture while reducing any aches and pains. If you have been skipping stretching due to a lack of time, we can try some of these quick, simple and effective stretches for muscle recovery after every workout.  

Stretches for Muscle Recovery Post Workout 

To get started, we must focus more on the muscles used during the workout. 

1. Gentle Walk or Jog 

A very light jog or walk is the simplest and the most perfect way to cool down naturally. You can do spot jogging or move around the room at a normal walking pace. 

2. Hip Flexor Stretch in Lunge Position hip flexor lunge

  • Get into the lunge position starting with both hands on the left knee
  • The right knee and calf should be on the ground
  • Now use your right hand to slowly pull up your right foot until you feel a stretch in your hip area
  • Hold the position for 20-40 seconds
  • Slowly release and repeat for the left leg

3. Toe Touchtoe touch

  • Stand with the feet together or shoulder-width apart
  • Keep the knees straight, do not lock it
  • Bending at the hips, slowly lower the head down toward the knees, keeping the back as straight as possible
  • Reach towards the toes, and let the neck relax
  • Hold for up to 20-40 seconds
  • Rise slowly back up to standing position.

4. Standing Calf Stretchmuscle recovery - standing calf stretch

  • Stand near a wall with feet shoulder width apart
  • Place one foot in front of the other, front knee slightly bent.
  • Keep your back knee straight, your heel on the ground, and lean toward the wall.
  • Feel the stretch all along the calf of your back leg.
  • Hold this stretch for 20-30 seconds.

5. Standing Quad Stretchstanding quad stretch

  • Stand upright with your feet together
  • Raise the heel of one leg up behind you and pull that leg up towards your butt with your hand
  • Keep pulling your leg up until you feel it stretching your quad, but not to the point of pain
  • Hold the stretch for a few counts and then switch sides

6. Seated Hamstring StretchSeated Hamstring Stretch

  • Sit down with both legs straightened out in front of you, knees and heels together. Then reach both arms forward towards your toes to feel a stretch through the back of the legs.
  • If possible, try and hold your toes in this position for a minimum of 60 seconds while taking deep, slow breaths
  • Keep your legs straight, without letting the knees buckle. If you’re unable to reach your toes while keeping your legs straight, you can hold the end of a towel looped around your foot
  • As you hold this stretch and feel your muscles start to adjust and relax, you can start going deeper on your exhale and hold, which will slowly increase your hamstring flexibility

7. Seated Twistseated twist

  • Sit on a mat and stretch the legs out in front of the body
  • Bring the left leg over the right leg and place the left foot on the floor, bending the left knee
  • Twist to the left and use the right arm to press the left knee gently inward
  • Hold for 30 seconds
  • Untwist and repeat on the other side

8. Overhead Tricep Stretchoverhead tricep stretch

  • Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and roll your shoulders back and down to release any tension
  • Reach your right arm up to the ceiling, then bend your elbow to bring your right palm down toward the center of your back
  • Bring your left hand up to gently pull your right elbow downward
  • Hold this stretch for 20 to 30 seconds before switching arms
  • Repeat on both sides 2 or 3 times, attempting to get a deeper stretch with each repetition.

9. Child’s Posechild's pose

  • Kneel on the floor with your toes together and your knees hip-width apart. Rest your palms on top of your thighs
  • Lower your torso between your knees. Extend your arms alongside your torso with your palms facing down. Relax your shoulders toward the ground
  • Hold for 30-40 seconds
  • Bring the arms back in and slowly sit up

Few Tips To Prevent Injuries 

  1. Do not over stretch yourself, listen to your body and stop if you feel pain
  2. Maintain correct posture, or else you might end up stretching the wrong way which will cause more harm than good
  3. Inhale and exhale through your stretches
  4. Always start at a slow pace to last longer.

If you have any injury or medical condition, perform the stretches under supervision and talk to your healthcare provider before starting any program. If you’re unsure on how to perform stretches correctly, do it under a certified trainer’s guidance. You can book a LIVE, interactive, online, GOQii PRO session from the GOQii App, where you can get one-on-one guidance in real time by certified fitness experts.

We hope this article on effective stretches for muscle recovery helps you. For more articles on fitness, check out Healthy Reads now! 

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