1. Leaning on the exercise machine. We have all seen these people. They are hunched over the elliptical or treadmill, leaning on it for support. Your backbone doesn’t get enough support when your back is rounded. So stand erect when you are working out on any of these machines.

2. Catching up on your own reading. If you are doing lots of reading on your favorite cardio machine, you’re probably not getting a strenuous enough workout. If you do like to read while working out, make sure you choose an interval program that will automatically increase the intensity at times. The best elliptical machine will provide several different interval training. During this interval also use your arms.

3. Believing cardio is enough. A lot of people believe they want only a cardiovascular exercise plan. We begin losing muscle at age 30. It is important to add in strength training to your workouts. This builds muscles, which raises metabolism and burns more calories.

4. Walking with weights. Walking while carrying hand weights might seem to be a good way to add strength training to your own cardio workout, but it can lead to more injuries. The risk of straining arms, wrists and shoulders increase when walking with weights.

5. Stretching before exercising. Stretching before your workout places you in danger for muscles that are torn or pulled. Muscles warm up when you exercise. By stretching at the end of your workout, it reduces the risk for injury. But make sure to not skip the stretching as the added flexibility is important for overall fitness.

6. Bouncing. Bouncing during a stretch is another way to raise your risk of straining or pulling muscles. Instead you need to hold a steady, slow reach with no motion at the joints. Your body should feel elongated but not painful.

7. Forgetting about pleasure. Mix things up. Instead of approaching exercising as another chore that has to be done, make it fun. Exercise with friends or family, try a new class, or a new exercise video. Changing it up helps keep workouts interesting.

8. Doing obsolete exercises. Are you still doing the exercises you learned in high school, like windmills and leg raises? Some of those oldies are a waste of time or can cause injury. If you donât know what else to do, work with a personal trainer to freshen your routine.

9. Becoming stuck in a rut. What’s wrong with doing the same exercise routine, day in and day out? This will this decrease motivation and make it less likely to continue. Additionally, your workouts will become less efficient since you will use the same muscle groups and not challenge others.