The Biggest Workout Mistake
As someone who is genuinely passionate about training and exercise, I’m constantly reviewing what I do, not just as a trainer, but in my own routines as well. The truth is that naturally changes over time. As we get older and more experienced, the goalposts shift. That’s definitely been the case for me recently. I’ve started to listen to my body more, recognising that I need more rest, but also realising I want more time for family and work. So I’ve stripped things back. And honestly, everything has improved. My training feels better, my sleep is better, and I have more time and energy for the things that matter. That’s really why I felt compelled to write about the biggest workout mistake people make.
Whether you’re just starting or getting back into a routine, it’s easy to feel like you need to do everything all at once. However, in reality, you probably don’t need more workouts or to spend more time exercising. And I completely understand why it feels that way. When motivation is high, it’s natural to think that doing more will get you results faster. However, what I’ve found, both personally and through working with others, is that this approach usually leads to the opposite.
People burn out, lose momentum, and start to feel like it’s not working.
Trying to Do Too Much Too Soon
What I see most often is people going from very little structure straight into doing everything.
Training most days, choosing workouts that feel too intense, and not really allowing time for recovery.
At first, it feels productive. You feel motivated, you feel like you’re doing the right thing. However, after a couple of weeks, it starts to catch up.
Energy dips, motivation drops, and suddenly the routine that felt exciting starts to feel like a chore.
What Actually Made the Difference for Me
For me, the biggest shift came from doing less, but doing it better.
Instead of trying to fit everything in, I focused on:
A few structured sessions each week
Keeping workouts shorter and more focused
Allowing proper recovery
And that’s when things started to improve.
Not just physically, but overall. I felt better, more consistent, and more in control of my routine.
What I See Work Best (Time and Time Again)
The people who get the best long-term results aren’t the ones doing the most.
They’re the ones who:
Keep things simple
Find a routine that fits their life
Stay consistent, even when motivation dips
That might look like two or three sessions a week. It might be shorter workouts. It might be mixing strength with mobility.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be repeatable.
A More Sustainable Way to Train
This is exactly the thinking behind how I now approach training, and also how programmes like Strength Beyond 50 are built.
The focus isn’t on doing more. It’s on doing what works, in a way that feels manageable, supportive, and realistic.
Because ultimately, the best programme is the one you can actually stick to.
A Better Question to Ask Yourself
Instead of asking:
👉 “Am I doing enough?”
A more useful question is:
👉 “Can I keep doing this next week?”
If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right track.
The Takeaway
The biggest workout mistake I see is trying to do too much too soon.
What actually works is building a routine that fits your life, not the other way around.
Because in the long run, consistency will always beat intensity.
