5 Useless Exercises That Won’t Help You Lose Weight

Have you been huffing and puffing at the gym in the hope of getting a desirable result on the weighing scale and still the magic number has been eluding you? Don’t worry, the fault is not in your stars rather it might lie with the way you exercise. A lot of us think that all there is to weight loss is exercise and diet. To an extent, that is true. But if you are approaching weight loss with the intention to alter your appearance then you have to be extra careful to see what exercises you have been doing and which parts of your body they alter. Let us have a look at some of the exercises which might have been making you work hard without getting you the desired results.

1. Push-Ups

Often, the most used weapon in a gym trainer’s arsenal, push-ups are usually the most recommended exercise for those looking to lose weight and appear lean. But if you are not one of those, who are looking to create the world record for the push-up championship, I would suggest you stop right there. Push-ups build up the triceps, the pectoral muscles, and the triceps and if you are overweight, building up these muscles will make you appear bulky.

Rather than opting for push-ups, we suggest you go for planking. Planking is just as easy to do, it also doesn’t require any extra equipment, and it makes your core stronger and tightens your stomach (1).

2. Weight-Assisted Back Exercises

A flabby back is a common problem for a lot of women who are looking to lose a few pounds. In a bid to achieve a more svelte figure, some of them end up using the power machines to do weight-assisted back exercises. However, these back exercises tend to do more harm to your hour-glass figure than you could imagine. These exercises tend to broaden your back causing you to lose out on your perfect feminine figure.

We suggest you do back exercises using small weights, that too, not more than once a week.

3. Squats

Squats are an effective exercise for tackling the fat accumulated on your thighs and buttocks. However, if you have large fat deposits in these areas then doing squats, especially with equipment like a barbell won’t be of much help. This is because it will make your buttocks appear bulky and also, amp up the appearance of your leg muscles making them appear rather large.

We advise you to do squats with 20-30 reps for 4 to 5 sets, that too on a leg day. Avoid using equipment like the barbell, instead, take the support of a wall if you find it difficult to do it without a support.

4. Side Tilts (With Weights)

A common sight in your nearby gym would be the girls doing side tilts, often with some sort of weight in their hands. It might seem like a sure-shot way to achieve washboard abs like Katrina Kaif, but I am sorry to inform you that it’s not. While the exercise does work on your obliques, it also broadens your stomach making it appear large, visually. It also makes your waist less dainty.

So, the next time you want to add side tilts to your routine, try to do it without the weights and if you do want to use them, restrict them to 1-2 Kg tops. And note that you should not do this exercise more than once a week.

5. Adduction And Abduction Of The Hips In Sitting Position

Commonly used for treating the fat deposits on the inner and outer thigh, these weight-assisted exercises are a hit at the gym. Women flock to do these in the hope of getting slimmer, shapely thighs. However, they are not as helpful as you might have thought. Rather than using these machines, we advise you to do weight-free lunges to treat those problematic thighs (2). They will yield better results. If you want them to be more challenging you can also add weights to this routine.

Now that we have understood some exercise myths, let’s give you some free weight-loss advice. When it comes to weight loss, a number of things are crucial. First, is your diet. You should pay as much attention to what you are eating as to how you are eating. It won’t help if you skip your breakfast for a hearty lunch. Rather, plan your meals so that you do not end up binging in one big meal. When it comes to working out, try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily (3). So that you do not take your workout as a chore, try to include as many different routines as possible to add a little variety. Last but certainly not the least, every little step counts. Take pride in every little victory, it will motivate you on your path to weight loss. If you have any more suggestions for weight loss or any secret tips, let us know in the comments.

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