You were all gung-ho with new routines to beat the band in January. But have you already fallen off the wagon?
We’re here to help you get back on track and make sure that you smash your goals.
Eoghan McGregor, co-owner and director of Perpetua Fitness, talks to us about the most common gym mistake: staying power…
As a coach at Perpetual Fitness for over 12 years now, I’ve found incredible joy in helping people push past their limits. My own journey into functional fitness and CrossFit began with a spark of competition – something I’ve been drawn to my whole life.
Here are a few common mistakes I see clients make when starting their fitness journey.
1. No Patience
A common mistake I see is a lack of patience. Many expect quick results and get frustrated when progress doesn’t happen overnight. When following a gym program or attending a group class, it’s the small, intentional choices that make the biggest difference. Achieving your goals will take consistency, effort, and most importantly, time. Patience is key – knowing when to push your limits and when to focus on practice is what leads to real progress. Rushing the process can lead to burnout or injury.
Focus on the small wins and trust the journey. The true magic happens in the consistent, unglamorous effort. By mastering the fundamentals and showing up regularly, the bigger wins will come naturally over time.
2. Starting with too many nutrition changes
Start Small with One Habit! One common mistake is trying to overhaul your entire diet at once by making too many nutritional changes. Instead of diving into a bunch of big changes to kick off the New Year, focus on one habit and start small. Ask yourself: What simple, manageable change can I make this week that will move me closer to my goal? Choose something so easy that success feels inevitable. That’s your starting point!
Just remember, these small changes are a springboard for creating sustainable habits throughout the year. True growth doesn’t come from instant fixes or shortcuts but from consistent progress over time.
3. Not taking enough rest days
Recover Like It’s Part of the Workout! Recovery is as essential as the work you put in. For years, I trained six days a week, constantly feeling sore and burned out, wondering why my progress stalled. The game changed when I embraced active recovery days, prioritised sleep, and adjusted my nutrition to match my training. Fitness places stress on the body. Without proper recovery, you’re fighting an uphill battle. Rest, fuel and recovery are what transform hard work into real results.
4. Chasing motivation
Motivation Follows Action! For a long time, I chased motivation: How could I get excited to train on a Monday morning? What would make pushing through tough sessions easier? Eventually, I realised motivation isn’t the starting point – it’s the outcome. Motivation comes from action. When you see progress, finish a solid workout, or watch your efforts pay off, motivation kicks in to keep you going. The key is simple: show up, do the work and let motivation build naturally.
5. Not being consistent
A major mistake many make is not being consistent with their fitness routine. Remember, consistency doesn’t mean perfection – it’s about making fitness a habit, no matter how small the effort, and letting those small wins add up over time. Consistency beats perfection every time. Early on, I wanted to nail everything on the first try. Over time, I learned that showing up, following the plan, and trusting the process led to the most significant gains.
Perpetua Fitness, Dublin’s premier destination for health, nutrition, wellbeing and fitness, is one of the leading fitness communities in Ireland. Visit perpetua.ie to learn more.