With bikini season in full bloom, many of us are running (not walking) to the nearest gym to get in shape. There may be some extra steps we can take to make the exercise routine more worthwhile. A recent article from Newsweek reveals some of the worst workout habits to avoid and tips from some personal trainers.

One of the most common bad habits is reading while working out. The experts stress that gym goers should leave the book or magazine in the gym bag where it belongs. A fitness consultant with New York Sports Club advises people who need a distraction while working out to watch TV with earphones since that would take up less attention than a novel or magazine article.

Personal trainers would also like people to know that they can’t just sweat the pounds off. Though it is widely believed that exercising in a hotter environment and sweating more can help a person shed weight faster, the experts say all this does is cause dehydration. It is important to make sure to always have water at hand while working out as dehydration can lead to some serious risks like cramping and injury.

Making sure not to workout on an empty stomach may be one of the most valuable tips to take to the gym with you. You need all the energy you can get when you’re exercising and skipping breakfast before heading out will definitely affect your performance. Experts suggest a healthy snack prior to working out like oatmeal or a banana.

For a complete list of Newsweek’s worst workout habits you can visit http://www.newsweek.com/id/32409/page/1 .

What do you think of some of the worst workout habits listed above?

Are you guilty of bringing any of these habits to the gym with you?