Holding your breath

When we’re concentrating on a new move, or if something feels particularly tough, it’s common to forget about your breath entirely. Catie Miller, barre and pilates expert and founder of Barre Series, says that correct breathing is so important, particularly in pilates. “One common mistake among beginners is neglecting the breath – holding it, or inhaling and exhaling at the wrong time. Effective breathing connects the mind, body and core – it’s the key focus of pilates.”

The same can apply to yoga and other forms of exercise. Controlled breathing in the gym or steady breathing techniques while running help keep oxygen flowing to your muscles and regulate your blood pressure.

Ignoring pace and form with weights

Celebrity trainer Tom Brown of 1st Class Bootcamp often sees gym-goers upping their weights without concentrating on the technique and tempo of their reps. “A more effective way to make progress is to slow down, perform fewer movements, and master the exercises you choose,” he says.

“Instead of constantly increasing the weight, prioritise slow, controlled reps executed with perfect form before advancing to heavier loads. I’m also a big advocate of incorporating progression techniques such as partial range repetitions, pulses and holds, which help target the specific muscles you’re aiming to train,” says Brown.

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