When embarking on a fitness journey, you need to be sure that getting injured is out of the menu. Injuries are enough to hold you back from attaining your health and fitness goals.
Getting injured during workouts is a very common occurrence, and it can be quite infuriating, mostly when it happens at the least expected time. Sports injuries range from a stiff ankle to a swollen joint and eventually can lead to surgery. It just keeps getting worse, so these are the factors you need to consider when increasing your visits to the gym, or when lifting more weights. You need to be sure that you aren’t doing your body more harm than good when it comes to adding exercises to your lifestyle.
Here is some workout wisdom that should keep you on track:
Start Slowly
The reason why you need to start gradually is so you can understand how your body responds to a particular workout, and you can then decide what works for you. If you are looking to reduce a little body fat, or if you are recovering from an injury, then you best start slowly. There isn’t any point in working out your body more than required, because you would only end up causing yourself more harm.
High-intensity interval training or even weight training isn’t suitable for everyone, so you might need to seek professional help on what works best for your body type.
Figure Out Your Rest Days
Even if you decide to work out for four weeks without any break, it still won’t get you to have the athletic build you are aiming for. No athlete built their body physique in a month, regardless of what the magazine tells you. Post-workout rest and recovery is a very important aspect of any fitness routine.
Exercising for one week without any rest isn’t always the best because it increases your risks of getting injured, and this would thwart or cripple your fitness goals.
However, if you still want to move on the fast lane, you can take a week off for every five weeks of training, so you can give your body enough time to rest and recover. Alternatively, you can also get a massage during your rest period, as it would help unknot the stiff muscles.
Ensure You Are Properly Hydrated
When your body is low on fluids, it can cause a reduction in your functionality and performance. This setback would ultimately result in injuries. You should make sure that you have clean water with you at all times during your workout sessions, and it would be best if you avoid the fluorescent colored sports drinks.
Wear The Correct Outfit
There is always an ongoing debate on the type of shoes or gears to wear for workouts. It all boils down to what is comfortable and safe for you.
At a point, it might look trendy to wear a particular type of sneakers or super-cushioned shoes for workouts, but if you are new to it, you may end up hurting your feet. Before using a particular footwear to exercise in, make sure that it is more than comfortable for long hours wears.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Having a balanced approach towards food
would go a long way for you. Naturally, carbohydrates help you recover after a workout session because it can boost your energy level, so it’s important to incorporate it into your post-workout snack. Adding fats to your diet plan can help reduce inflammation, while protein helps in building lean body mass.
While working out, you shouldn’t place your focus on just protecting your body from the outside, because the inside is just as important.
Pay Attention To Your Body
If you are feeling little soreness in a particular area of your body and it won’t go away, you should have it checked out. The body is very sensitive, and it gives signals when something is off, and it’s your responsibility to see that it is looked into, so it doesn’t cause further damage.
Soft tissue work is effective in relieving muscle issues, and it should be incorporated into any exercise program.
Know What You Are Doing
Before beginning any exercise plan, be confident that you know what you are signing yourself up for. If possible, visit an expert so you can be sure that the exercise program is suitable for you and would not cause any injury in the long run. Most times, poor exercise form is the primary culprit for sports injuries, so be sure that you have mastered that aspect before starting any exercise routine.
