Injury prevention is an important aspect of any exercise routine. Preventing an injury is much easier than having to deal with one, so it’s important to take precautions to avoid unnecessary injuries. Here are some injury prevention tips to consider before starting any exercise routine:
1. Use adequate weight: It’s important to use the right amount of weight when doing any exercise. Using weights that are too heavy can cause injury and using weights that are too light won’t provide any benefits. Always start with a weight that you can handle comfortably and gradually increase the weight as you progress.
2. Use proper form and technique: Using the correct form and technique when performing an exercise is crucial in preventing injuries. Incorrect techniques can put unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints leading to injuries. Make sure to research the adequate form and technique before trying out a new exercise or machine at the gym.
3. Adequate supporting equipment and gear: Using proper equipment, support and gear is a key element to prevent injuries. Will you benefit by using a good pair of trainers? Will your lower back thank you for using a nice supporting belt? Will your hands love you more after using gloves? Consider investing in helpful support and gear for your sport to improve your performance and to reduce the chances of undesired injuries.
4. Take adequate breaks: It’s important to take breaks between sets to rest and allow your body to recover. Overworking your muscles can lead to injury so make sure to take adequate breaks between sets.
5. Warm up, cool down and stretch: Warming up, cooling down and stretching are important steps in any exercise routine. Before your workout, make sure to warm up your muscles to have them ready for the fun! This will certainly prevent you from unnecessary muscular strains. After you finished your routine, cool down to return your heart rate to normal levels. This will activate recovery and regeneration processes. Stretching the muscles that you just trained will be key to help them return to their normal state and loosen any unnecessary stiffness. Regaining flexibility and range of motion is elemental to prevent injuries.