PREVENTING WORKOUT INJURIES AT THE GYM

PREVENTING WORKOUT INJURIES AT AT THE GYM PRACTICE GOOD TECHNIQUE No matter what exercise you're performing, learn how to do it safely Don't try to go heavy before you can demonstrate good mechanics Poor technique is one of the most common causes of injury when lifting weights KNOW YOUR LIMITS Once you have good technique, gradually increase the time or weight of your exercise You can push yourself, but know the difference between discomfort and pain Pushing yourself beyond your limits can lead to injury and won't help you get fit WARM UP PROPERLY Don't just jump into a high-intensity workout without warming yourself up Perform reps at a low weight, ride the stationary bike, or jog to get the blood moving Cold, stiff muscles are more susceptible to injury than warm, elastic ones TAKE IT SLOUW Don't overdo it at first, or injuries could prevent you from maintaining your routine Especially important if you are new to exercise, or haven't been to the gym in a while Understand that intensity varies from person to person, and listen to your body VARY YOUR WORKOUTS Performing the same exercise over and over could lead to overuse injuries Change things up and use different machines-try something new every day Consider weight training, cardio, stretching, and classes to add variety UORK WITH A TRAINER Learn new ways of warming up, stretching, and working out from a pro Your trainer will get to know you and your specific areas that can be improved You'll learn proper technique and how to apply your new skills to your workouts PROVIDED BY: Fitness evolution fitness made easy UOW.FITNESSEVOLUTIONSILVERSPRING.COM SOURCES: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/6-ways-avoid-workout-injuries http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-tips/top-10-ways-avoid-injury