How to Improve Your Form on Common Gym Exercises
Improving your exercise form is one of the best ways to boost results, prevent injuries, and make every rep count. Whether you’re lifting weights, practicing mobility, or powering through a HIIT workout, proper technique ensures your muscles work efficiently and safely. Here’s how to refine your form on some of the most common gym exercises.
1. Squats
Common mistakes: Knees caving in, leaning forward, heels lifting.
Fix your form:
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Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
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Keep your chest up and core braced.
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Push your hips back as if sitting into a chair.
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Drive through your heels and keep knees aligned with toes.
Quick check: Your knees should not collapse inward at the bottom.
2. Deadlifts
Common mistakes: Rounded back, pulling with arms, bar drifting away.
Fix your form:
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Keep the bar close to your shins.
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Hinge at the hips with a neutral spine.
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Engage lats to keep the bar in a straight path.
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Drive through heels and squeeze glutes at the top.
Quick check: Your spine should stay neutral the entire lift.
3. Push-Ups
Common mistakes: Sagging hips, flared elbows, shallow reps.
Fix your form:
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Place hands slightly wider than shoulder width.
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Maintain a straight line from head to heels.
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Lower your chest until it nearly touches the floor.
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Keep elbows at about a 45° angle.
Quick check: Your hips shouldn’t drop or rise.
4. Planks
Common mistakes: Hips too low/high, holding the breath.
Fix your form:
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Stack elbows under shoulders.
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Brace your core tightly.
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Keep glutes engaged for a straight line.
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Breathe steadily.
Quick check: If your lower back feels pressure, reset your posture.
5. Lunges
Common mistakes: Leaning forward, unstable knees, short step.
Fix your form:
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Take a long enough stride so the knee stays above the ankle.
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Keep your torso upright.
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Lower your back knee gently to the floor.
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Push through the front heel to rise.
Quick check: Both knees should form 90-degree angles.
6. Lat Pulldown
Common mistakes: Leaning back too far, pulling behind the neck.
Fix your form:
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Sit tall with a slight lean.
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Pull the bar to your upper chest.
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Keep shoulders down and away from ears.
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Control the movement on the way up.
Quick check: You should feel your back muscles—not your arms—doing the work.
7. Shoulder Press
Common mistakes: Back arching, elbows flaring.
Fix your form:
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Stand or sit with core tight.
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Keep elbows slightly forward.
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Press up smoothly without overarching.
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Lower with control.
Quick check: If your lower back arches, reduce the weight.
Final Tips for Better Form
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Start with lighter weights to master technique.
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Warm up thoroughly before lifting or starting a HIIT workout.
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Use mirrors for feedback.
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Slow down your reps to improve muscle control.
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Consult a trainer for personalized corrections.
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