Top 7+ things you’re doing wrong at the gym

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

Whether you're trying to shape up, lose weight, keep your mental health in check or just get fit and have fun, most of us will have cause to visit the gym at some point. And given we pay for the privilege of belonging to our local exercise haunt we naturally want to get as much as possible out of our visit. But just as we have our own expectations when it comes to our workout, there's aspects of our own behaviour we should also be looking at to get the most from it. According to the experts, we're all making a fair few mistakes in that regard. Read on to find out what you're doing wrong - and what you should be doing instead (Picture: Getty Images)

1. Going to the gym every day

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

If you've become a bit of a gym bunny, then you might be one of these people who starts off with an hour or so hitting the weights, or the bike, or whatever you prefer, on a daily basis. And OK, we admit, while there's nothing wrong with working out every day - as long as you don't overdo it or become obsessed. Most experts maintain that you should give yourself a break at least once a week, to allow time for your muscles to rest and recover. Personal trainer Lizzie Nicholls from Bodysculpt With Lizzie told us: 'A rest day is a must as it gives your body time to reset and muscles to repair which is where you get your strength.' So don't feel guilty if you do give the gym a wide berth once or twice a week (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Not warming up properly

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

3. Doing the same workout every time

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

OK, so you might feel confident with your treadmill/weights/stretching/crunches routine or whatever it is you have going on at the gym. But actually not mixing it up a little could mean you're missing out on vital fitness goals, and could even hit a plateau where you're not getting the results you want. VeryWellFit recommends making changes such as increasing the amount of time you do a certain exercise (such as walking) and mixing in other activities such as cycling, or even add a HIIT workout to your routine - if you're fit enough for high intensity exercises that is (Picture:: Getty Images)

5. Wasting time

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

Remember that bit in Clueless when Cher complains that standing in a queue to hit a ball is doing nothing for anyone's fitness levels? Well she was right - because if you're one of those people who spends more time waiting for machines, checking your phone, taking selfies or just dawdling between machines, you're probably not getting the best from your workout time. Of course you need to take rest breaks between sets of weights and the like - but as Gentleman's Journal points out making these too long can slow down your metabolism and affect the fat burning process. So make sure you time yours carefully, and don't hang around before moving on to the next thing (Picture: Getty Images)

6. Ignoring other forms of exercise

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

We get that a strenuous workout can burn loads of calories and leave you feeling energised - but heading for the gym doesn't mean you get to lounge around for the rest of the day. Make sure you're staying active in other, everyday ways to supplement your gym activity. Taking the stairs at work instead of the lift, walking to the Tube instead of getting the bus, doing housework and gardening are just some of the things that can add to your daily activity. As we all know every little helps (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

1. Going to the gym every day, 2. Not warming up properly, 3. Doing the same workout every time, 5. Wasting time, 6. Ignoring other forms of exercise, 7. Not keeping an eye on your diet

Okay this isn't one necessarily for at the gym but if you're determined to get fit and stay healthy, you'll know nutrition plays its part in this as well, meaning that making the wrong food choices won't help. Equally, what you eat before and after a workout matters too - with VeryWellFit suggesting you should plan a nutrition strategy that aligns with your workout, to make sure your food intake matches your overall fitness goal. And make sure you have something to eat after you've worked out too. 'The prime time to eat after exercising is between 20 minutes and one hour,' boxer Marianne Marston told the Independent. 'While this is essential for pro athletes, it is still extremely important for the general exerciser to achieve the best results' (Picture: Getty Images)

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