For real, you’re going to hurt yourself
Lunges
The mistake: Taking baby steps when you lunge causes too much stress on the front knee, putting you at risk for strains and arthritis.
The fix: Take a big enough step so that your front heel is about two feet in front of your back knee as it bends towards the floor.
Obsessive crunching
The mistake: You can’t crunch your way to abs. It’s not going to happen. Crunches put a lot of strain on your back and neck.
The fix: Try pilates-style exercises that focus on stabilizing your core. You don’t need to ban crunches altogether, but make sure to mix it up.
Butt-popping planks
The mistake: Popping your hits skyward as you hold a plank position is cheating. Plain and simple. You’re getting a way less-effective ab toning from this typically uber-awesome move.
The fix: Pick a spot just about your mat directly between your hands. Focus on keeping your body in a straight line from head to hips to heels. Remember, it’s better to do it correctly for 20 seconds than incorrectly for one minute. Pro tip: mirrors are super helpful for this pose.
Wonky push-ups
The mistake: Popping hips, weak dips, and too-tiny stances. These mistakes make push-ups dangerous and super ineffective.
The fix: There’s no shame in dropping to your knees in order to get your form straight. Make sure your keep your back, neck, and hips aligned for maximum effectiveness.
Squats
The mistake: Squatting too high, as in not going deep enough into the squat.
The fix: get your ass to the grass. By getting low you can harness the power of your glutes and hamstrings causing you to have a tight butt and a strong core even faster.
