How To Prevent Common Workout Injuries

It’s happened to everyone at some point. You decide to get fit, get past the tough stage, and finally start to enjoy it. And then, something goes. It could be a muscle pull, or a slip while you are out jogging. It could be a sprained ankle or even something like tendinitis. But, whatever it is, it will force you to quit your exercise regime until you are better. By which stage, of course, you are back to square one.

So, it’s vital to workout safely as much as you can – and to understand how things can go wrong. In this guide, I’m going to talk you through how you can prevent the most common workout injuries. Read on to find out more.

Get a full checkup

I would advise anyone starting a fitness program to get a full check-up from their doctor before they start. Not only will it ensure you are in a good enough condition for it, but it will also flag up any conditions you have right now. Then, as you start your exercises, you will know exactly how far you can push yourself, and avoid exacerbating any old injuries.

Warm up

If you don’t warm up properly, your body will be exposed to more risk of injury. You should, therefore, start off your session with a light jog or ride on an exercise bike. Once your body has warmed up a little, and your heart is pumping faster, you should do some stretches. Concentrate on stretching the parts of the body you will be using most, and ease into each stretch.

Cool down

After vigorous exercise, you should also cool down your body. Think of it like driving a car at full speed and then stopping immediately – it’s not going to be a healthy outcome, is it? So, you should apply the brakes slowly after a workout, and give those hard-working muscles a stretch. It will help you avoid feeling as stiff the next day.

Mix it up

Let’s say that you are doing half an hour of exercise every day. You should always try and mix up your muscle workouts and target different areas on different days. This means you will get better all-around fitness, but will also give your other muscles a longer recovery period. So, one day you might focus on your cardio, and the next you can look at upper body strength. The day after that you can do your lower body, and then the next day you can go back to cardio.

If the worst happens

No matter how much care you put into your workouts, there is always the possibility of external influences causing you injury. A simple jog through the woods could end up with a badly twisted ankle, for example, just because you were unlucky with a hidden pothole. So, if something happens, seek out medical help as soon as you can, either at an emergency care location or with your doctor. The earlier you treat your injury, the quicker you’ll be up and running again.

I hope this has helped some of you – and feel free to leave some tips in the comments section below!