I've been training for years, and I see the same mistakes every time someone new walks into the gym. Here's what to avoid:

1. Program hopping

You don't need a new routine every week. Pick one solid program and stick with it for at least 8-12 weeks. Progressive overload beats novelty every single time.

2. Ignoring nutrition

You can't out-train a bad diet. If you're not eating enough protein (aim for 0.8-1g per pound of bodyweight) and sleeping 7-8 hours, your gains will stall no matter how hard you train.

3. Ego lifting

Nobody cares how much you bench. What matters is the quality of each rep. Drop the weight, slow down the eccentric, feel the muscle work. You'll grow faster and stay injury-free.

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