How to avoid injuries
Exercising is a great way to keep yourself fit and healthy, but
there is also a risk of injury. However, if you follow some
basic guidelines, and stay within your physical limits, you can
ensure that you'll have an enjoyable and safe workout.
Warm ups: Warm ups are essential...this cannot be stressed on
enough. Starting an exercise routine without warm ups can be
very damaging to your body. It is always advisable to do some
relatively gentle exercise to warm up your muscles, so that
they'll be less susceptible to damage that may occur during
exercises. Also, they'll ensure that they get more flexible and
limber.
Just spend a few minutes getting warmed up. About 5 to 10
minutes should do. Stretch muscles and other soft tissues. This
will prepare your body for the more rigorous exercise that is
going to follow, and help you go for a longer period of time
without feeling tired or fatigued.
The right get-up Fitness wear is very important. Only if you are
at ease and comfortable in what you're wearing, can you perform
to your optimum potential. The right shoes are imperative. They
must be suited to the type of exercise that you are doing. When
buying a pair of fitness shoes, always consult with the staff at
a sports equipment store, and ask for their advice. The wrong
type of shoes can lead to sprains and even long-term injury.
Clothes, too, must be comfortable, loose-fitting, and, ideally,
made out of a fabric that absorbs sweat, like cotton. Very tight
fitting clothes can be uncomfortable, and extremely loose
clothes can get in the way. Don't compromise when it comes to
fitness wear.
Cool down Don't come to a sudden halt in between strenuous
workouts. This causes the blood to pool in your leg veins, and
can leave you feeling dizzy and faint. Give time for the lactic
acid being produced by your muscles during vigorous activity to
be cleared by finishing your session with a few minutes of
gentle exercise.
Change and Alternate It is a good idea if you combine strenuous
activity with something that is comparatively less physically
demanding. This lessens your chances of over-exerting yourself,
and gives your body more time to recover from bouts of intense
activity.
Stop when it starts hurting If exercising starts to hurt, stop
until the pain has completely gone away. Saying like 'no pain,
no gain' should be ignored, since they make you push yourself
beyond your physical limits...which isn't a good thing, after
all. If you experience physical discomfort and things like
dizziness, faintness, nausea, shortness of breath etc, please
visit your doctor right away. Also, avoid exercising when you
are unwell or sick.