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8 common mistakes to avoid while working out

Even veterans experience the toughest of training every now and then. No matter how new or accustomed you are to working out, there are still some common problems you might encounter along the way.

Confidence is an ally when you’ll start working out, but if overdone it can turn into an enemy. Be confident to challenge yourself, but also be wise to know the challenges you’ll face ahead. These are 8 common mistakes you should avoid when working out:

 

1. Heading in too quickly

A common problem for newbie exercisers is the habit of diving into a new activity head-on without any preparations whatsoever. Heading into a new session too quickly can have major consequences that usually involve injuries. Prevent these injuries from happening by starting slowly as your body gradually gets accustomed to the new workout regimen you have prepared.

 

2. Staying too long in the comfort zone

Once a body-builder gets used to a certain activity, they tend to get too comfortable. In the process, the person stays too long in their comfort zone without adding anything new to their regimen. Avoid this by adding something new into your workout sessions. Our body needs a different shift in tone and technique. Staying too comfortable impedes any improvements from occurring for the exerciser.

 

3. Overexercising

There is such a thing called “overexercising”. This is when the individual exhausts too much effort into their training that their body starts to experience pain and injuries. Avoid this mistake by knowing your body’s limits and adjusting your workout sessions with just the right level of intensity.

 

4. Leaving diet out of the plan

Some people tend to leave their diet out of the picture when they think of their fitness trials. Disciplined diet plays a huge role in the whole journey to weight loss. When exercisers exert all their strength on physical training without practising a strict diet, their ideal post-workout improvements are never fully achieved. Remember to balance healthy eating and exercise to achieve the desired outcome.

 

5. All flex, no strength

Strength and power have become a stigma in the world of body-building nowadays. Being healthy doesn’t limit itself to raw power. Flexibility should be a trait every athlete should aspire to improve on. Being flexible allows you to reach a wide range of different body movement which is crucial when you need to improve certain parts of your body.

 

6. Forgetting to rest now and then

It’s admirable to be passionate and dedicated to building a better and healthier lifestyle, but you shouldn’t get lost along the way. Every fitness enthusiast deserves a rest every now and then! Muscles need relaxation from all the tense workouts and training. Take your time to stretch, relax, and recover those tired muscles.

 

7. Lack of sleep

Don’t forget you have a personal life of your own! Exercising can be fun, but don’t focus on it too much. Remember to sleep on time every night to wake up feeling refreshed and energised. Having enough sleep prepares the body for the training that you’ll endure.

 

8. Improper use of form

Preparing yourself for the activities that await you should be a priority. Part of the preparation phase is to know the proper form of each move. Study and learn the proper form to avoid any injuries. Mentally practise your exercise sessions by focusing on the moves at hand.

Everyone needs a helping hand every now and then. Hire your very own private trainer in Singapore at Urban Active Fitness. A personal trainer can assist, observe, and properly evaluate your workout regimen so you can finally achieve the body shape you desire. Seek your preferred personal trainer now at Urban Active Fitness.

“Fitness can be enjoyable, motivating and sustainable.”

Pedro's Weight Loss in 6 Months.

I want to express our deep gratitude for the profound impact UAF had on our fitness journey.

Jovin’s guidance has led to an incredible transformation, inspiring me to include my wife in our sessions. His innovative buddy training sessions have shattered her initial perceptions of personal training, making each workout an interactive and enjoyable experience.

We’re not just exercising; we’re pushing each other to new heights, creating a sense of camaraderie that keeps us accountable.

Jovin’s holistic approach, including home workouts, cardio programs, and nutrition guidance, has changed our lifestyle and improved our overall well-being.

Thank you, Jovin, for making fitness enjoyable and sustainable. Your dedication has brought about positive changes that go beyond the physical, and we’re excited to continue this journey with you.

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“Live without limits.”

“Unleashing confidence through fitness.”

Manami's Weight Loss in 6 Months.

I’m so excited to talk about the amazing six months I’ve spent training—it’s truly been a game-changer for me.

And I owe a big part of this transformation to Emma, my incredible personal trainer.

When I started, I wasn’t entirely sure if exercise alone could help with weight loss. But signing up for personal training was seriously one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Working with Emma wasn’t just about dropping pounds; it was a whole education.

I learned heaps about workouts, food, and even more about myself. What started as a challenge became this exciting journey of self-discovery.

One of the coolest things was getting into kickboxing. It’s become my new passion. There’s something about the energy and intensity of kickboxing that totally clicked for me—I’m absolutely loving it now. And, the training didn’t just stop at fitness—it even made a difference in my wedding photos!

When I look at those pics and see my toned arms, I can’t help but smile, remembering the effort we put into getting them just right. Thinking back, it wasn’t just about getting in shape physically.

Emma’s training gave me a ton of confidence to step into this new chapter of my life. Her constant support and guidance have meant the world to me—I can’t thank her enough for making such a huge impact.

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“There's nothing to worry about-ever! Either you have control, or you don't. If you do, take control; if you don't, dismiss it.”

“I feel fitter, toner and sexier in so many ways, I am so happy with the changes.”

Kirstie’s transformation in a just a month!

I had 4 different personal trainers in the past. After many unsuccessful transformation attempts; slimming pills, diet plans and even joined a slimming centre, I felt jaded as nothing seemed to work.

I was persuaded to give it a final shot, that is when Jovin my personal trainer turned my attempts to success. Jovin listened patiently and told me that his training approach may sound unorthodox to me (given what I tried), it will however give me sustainable results and all I had to do was to trust him.

His favourite line “If something works, you would feel and see within 2 weeks. Else somethings got to change.”

We trained thrice a week. For the first time, my tummy area started toning up the way I wanted, my arms got leaner, my core felt stronger, my back muscles are tighter giving me a better posture – these were achieved within 3 weeks of training.

Every session was a different set of challenges and Jovin would tweak my diet every week. His diet plan was for me to make small impactful changes. I feel fitter, toner and sexier in so many ways, I am so happy with the changes.

Thank you Jovin for helping me achieve what I deem was unachievable and making me feel confident again. You are an awesome personal trainer and I look forward to our next workout.

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“My clients are a reflection of my success as a Personal Trainer.”

“I owe my result to – diet, training and a good personal trainer.”

Laurence’s 4-month prep into competition.

My intent was to be ready for a local competition. Unlike my competitors, who had single-digit body fat percentages, my 21% body fat meant that I needed to work extra hard before the competition.

I was clueless about cardio, macro nutrition, and my weight training programme was a mess. For a while I tried to follow random fitness celebrities’ workouts on YouTube, until I was introduced to Tim from UAF.

I was apprehensive at first, as I heard stories about personal trainers making you sign up for a packages, then blaming you for not following the diet when the programme didn’t work.

However, Tim was different. He was patient, kind and very reasonable. He designed my training programme and diet, and the workouts were fun and full of variety.

We shared our meal plans which I very much enjoyed the process. When I ate badly, he would “fine” me with 50 burpees, 100 push-ups and 200 squats continuously without rest. I could never forget that punishment!

I learnt that mind-muscle connection is key to developing stubborn body parts, which really helped in maximising every single training session. I discovered proper lifting form and techniques and how to avoid injuries while training. I could feel my chest muscles hardening up and see lines appearing on my abs which I never have before! This journey was not only fulfilling, but also boosted my self-confidence.

After a few weeks of training, I could already see how my body is transforming. I followed my diet plan, my cardio programme was well balanced and my body fat was heading below 10%. Each time I looked in the mirror, I became more motivated, and eventually I became the best (physically) version of myself.

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“Never do the same and expect more! Keep challenging yourself mentally and physically to be a better version of yourself.”

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Michelle’s proud transformation over half a year.

I recently attended my high school reunion and my friends were pleasantly surprised that I look healthier and more vibrant than in my teens.

I have the body type of an apple shaped endomorph and pretty much grew up as a pudgy teenager. It took hard work and persistence on both my and personal trainer, Jovin’s part – coupled with conscientious substitution of bad foods for good ones.

Jovin’s PT services are personalised; he comes in with a plan and we will follow through until we achieve the first goal then moved on to the next.

There are still times when I look at the mirror and wondered if this is really me. Through this partnership, I have conquered three vertical marathons (top 25 percentile) and the Spartan Race.

It’s been a great journey, and I’m looking forward to more healthy years to come. If you are serious about a positive change in your life, Jovin will lead you every step of the way with his contagious passionfor training and life.

I have been training with Jovin for over 6 years, and I would recommend him to anyone looking to develop healthy habits and aesthetics.

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“It’s never too late to start."

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

Issac’s 180 degree change in his lifestyle in 4 months.

I used to spend a lot of time at work, leading to late-night supper and drinks. It was an unhealthy lifestyle and I felt out of shape.

I was introduced to my trainer Tim, who is very knowledgeable about diet, especially calorie manipulation. When my bodyfat% was stagnant, he was able to come up with different dieting techniques that are effective in reducing my bodyfat%.

He makes dieting fun and easy to follow, which was something I really appreciate as I can’t possibly eat pre-cooked meals every single day.

There are also days I eat with my colleagues, family and friends. I always feel bad after these social obligations. However, Tim was always able give the right advice to make me feel better emotionally. Plus, all the consistency in training and dieting has really paid off.

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“Your whole body is made in the kitchen!”

“In 6 months, I went from 120kg to 85kg.”

George's most impactful birthday gift.

Being born an endomorph did not deter me from trying to keep in the best shape I can. I have tried every diet trend, from ketogenic, Atkins, and vegetarian to Weight Watchers diets. I even committed to jogging every day for 30-45mins, core training, lifting weights, and even signing up for spinning classes. But no matter how hard I tried, I was still unable to change my physique.

I felt demoralised and fell back into snacking and old habits of supper. Sleep deprivation from work made things worse and my energy level was at its all-time low.

My wife decided to sign me up for a personal training package as my birthday gift and that was when I met my PT, Jovin.

Jovin laid out a game plan for us, which consists of short to long-term goals. The first 3 weeks were all experimental. The training was fun, progressive and challenging at the same time. Jovin was so committed that he would wake up at 6 am to text and ensure that I do my fasted cardio before breaking fast.

All my workouts were recorded and we knew exactly what worked and what didn’t. We used a food log as well to track my macros.

It was an enjoyable and fulfilling journey, and every session was a new learning experience.

We measured my body fat % and stats every month, and I am so glad to see each measurement improve. I started sleeping well as I was able to channel my stress through my workouts. In 6 months, I went from 120kg to 85kg.

Most importantly, I believe I am able to sustain my physique because I really enjoy this new lifestyle. If you are looking for a trainer in Singapore who knows his stuff, Jovin is your go-to fitness trainer.

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“The biggest challenge is taking the first step.”

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“I can’t believe that was me in the past.”

Jimmy's Body Transformation in 5 Months.

I needed a quick fix on my lifestyle and body. I was recommended to my personal trainer Jovin by a friend.

The entire process of my fitness journey was exciting as we do progressive measurements every 3 weeks, analysing of my bodyfat % and pictures, he was meticulous on which part of my body was progressing well, and which part needed more attention.

By the 3rd month I could see my chest and arms becoming more defined. By the 5th month when we compared the earlier pictures, I couldn’t believe that was me in the past and the new me was also in a way unbelievable for me, my confidence grew and my lifestyle has changed.

I manage to cut out alcohol and got into a good and balance diet regime with “cheat meals” catered as well, overall, very balanced and positively reinforcing. It shows that a good fat loss diet is not just about eating boiled chicken breast and many eggs for every meal.

Trainer Spotlight

“Dieting is not about chicken breast and eggs only!”

“Weight loss happens with the right nutrition & training.”

Malvika's Weight Loss in 2 Months.

Having just move into Singapore and surrounded by all the good food, I gained a lot of weight to the point that I find it hard to fit into all my dresses.

I tried working at different gyms, experienced some weight loss but somehow aesthetically I couldn’t change how my stomach looked.

Got desperate and decide to google for personal trainers and by luck found Urban Active Fitness and was paired with Jovin! His workouts are planned in phases, with proper structure and progression.

The training has a good mixture of fun and toughness injected, I look forward to all my workouts with Jovin and most importantly he helped me with my nutrition, which I felt contributed to my transformation.

Thank you Jovin for transforming how I look and also my eating habits.

Trainer Spotlight

“Variety is still the spice of life.”

“At 43, I am looking my best.”

Matthew's Transformation in 6 Months.

Juggling between 3 kids, a bank job, and plenty of stress, going to a gym was out of the question for me. Having a personal trainer come to my condo gym to train me was the only option available to me.

Jovin went the extra mile for me, even staying an extra 30mins after my session ended to make sure I finish my 30mins cardio session.

We did this thrice a week and he also held me accountable on days I don’t train to do 45mins cardio. I was clocking in 3 weights session and 5 cardio sessions a week with varying intensity.

Every meal I ate was eyeballed, he would explain why I needed to cut down on certain choices and giving me great alternatives for eating lunch around my office area. His efforts are proportionate to my transformation goal.

At 43, I am looking my best.

Trainer Spotlight

“Prioritize your time, use it on your health and you will thank yourself later!”

“I am able to stay fit purposefully on track now.”

Aileen's Transformation in 8 Months.

During my pregnancy, I put on about 30kg. When I looked into the mirror, I felt horrible, I had no clue how I was ever going to get back in shape.

I was matched with Gecelia of Urbanactivefitness. The first few weeks of training was challenging and tough. I felt like giving up so many times, but Gecelia was by my side the whole journey.

On non-training days she would text me, or call me to check on me which I really appreciate. She always knows what to say to boost my motivation and keep me on track. She even made her signature overnight oats for me.

Ultimately, I am able to stay purposefully on track and started losing my pre-pregnancy weight and bodyfat %.

I have regained my body shape, couldn’t have done it without her help. Thank you Urbanactivefitness and Gec!

Trainer Spotlight

“Going the extra mile for my client also reap heaps of rewards for me.”

“Training is challenging and I have really come to enjoy it.”

Bryan's Transformation in 3 Months.

I met Jeremy 3 months ago when I realised my fitness level had gone down after struggling to breathe from playing with my son. I decided that I must do something about it before it gets worse.

Jeremy is the nicest and most patient person I have met, always very attentive to my training form, and checks on my mental condition during training.

His training is everchanging, there was never 1 session that was completely the same as the previous one.

He is creative in coming up with effective yet challenging exercises that I really come to enjoy. He is also well-versed in Sports massage and have occasionally help me release tightness in my neck and shoulder.

I highly recommend Jeremy as a PT.

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“You are your own biggest challenge.”

“Training correctly has helped me achieve a better physique at 44.”

Peter's Transformation in 5 Months.

I look forward to every PT session with Shaun, he is knowledgeable, patient and passionate about helping me change my physique.

I had a few personal trainers before, but when I met Shaun, he was meticulous and able to correct on all my lifting techniques. These small yet impactful changes in my training techniques have gotten me stronger and enable me to achieve a better physique at 44.

He was also helpful with nutrition guidance and on the days, I travel for work, he will take the effort to do video calls with me to ensure I am training, and not skipping my cardio sessions.

Highly recommend Shaun to anyone looking for a committed personal trainer.

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“Consistency is KEY.”

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