7 Things You Should Never Do Before A Workout

Don’t: Static Stretching

Contrary to popular belief, static stretching is one of the pre-workout habits to avoid. “Statically stretching (holding a stretch) has been shown to actually decrease your strength if performed before a workout,” says Marks. “Plus, stretching cold muscles can lead to injuries like strains.” Static stretching isn’t ideal before a workout. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t warm up at all. Instead, opt for dynamic (moving) stretches. Or perform some light cardio to warm your muscles up and prevent injury. Save the static stretching for post-workout recovery.