Preventing Injuries During Exercise
While exercise is important to our overall health, the prevention of injury during exercise is of utmost importance. Proper form, not pushing yourself too hard, and stretching are all ways to prevent injury and ensure that you are safe while exercising.
Here are some tips from M.A.T. specialist Maurice Harden at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation on how to avoid injury whenever you are exercising or playing a sport.
Visit a Personal Trainer
If you are newly returning to working out after rehab or want to start a new exercise regimen or sport, a personal trainer can create a program to help you reach your goals. We will also teach you the proper form for each exercise and give you safety tips to ensure that you avoid (further) injury.
At Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation, our personal training programs are designed for the individual based on their fitness level, goals, and capabilities. Activate your muscles’ full potential. Call us today for a personal training consultation— (813) 422-5671!
Start Slow
Even though you may have been able to do a specific exercise years ago, it doesn't mean that you can do it at the same speed and energy now. Be realistic about your training and start slow.
Too much too soon is often why injuries occur; you have to be careful when getting back into exercise. Gradually increase the time and intensity of your workouts as you gain strength and endurance to prevent injury.
Warm Up
It is never a good idea to begin a workout with cold muscles. Always Warm up your body before working out to increase your body’s core temperature and get the blood flowing through the working muscles.
We recommend dynamic stretching and at least a 10–15-minute warm-up before jumping into the harder part of your workout.
MORE > Dynamic Stretches You Should Do Daily
Cross Train
Don’t perform the same workout every day. Engage in different activities to help avoid hitting a plateau, work your entire body, and give your muscles a break from the same routine.
Your body will benefit from diversifying your exercise routine, and so will your metabolism since switching up your daily exercise can rev up fat-burning.
When you work out with us, we’ll give you exercises to do at home too so you can stay on track between sessions.
Add Strength Training to Your Routine
Being strong is a great way to keep injuries at bay. By incorporating strength training and core work into your exercise regimen, your muscles will be better balanced and ready to take on whatever exercise you want to tackle.
Also, your muscles won’t need to compensate for weakness or tightness.
Wear Proper Shoes
Many injuries are caused by ill-fitting or worn-out shoes without proper support. If you’re experiencing leg pain and it’s only made worse when you work out, it may be time for new shoes (and some medical exercise).
Get expert advice on what shoes to get, especially if you are a runner, or are delving into a new exercise routine or sport. An expert can ensure that the shoes you purchase fit your arch, gait, and body weight.
Nutrition is Key
Nutrition is just as important as your workout. It is important to eat a balanced diet and hydrate before and after a workout. Carbohydrates give you energy and replenish glycogen stores to help you recover and protein helps repair your muscles that you just worked during your workout.
Work with a sports nutritionist to understand how much, when, and what foods you should eat before and after your workouts to keep you healthy and energized for your exercise routine.
If you are interested in a nutrition plan to achieve optimal health and reach your fitness goals, call Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation for a consultation with our nutritionist, Sarah Bingham. Nutrition is the clear path to health! Call today—813-422-5671!
Allow for Rest and Recovery
We know that you want to reach your goals quickly but take those rest days! Rest and recovery are just as important as your workout. Your body needs at least one day a week to rest and recover after working your muscles and is making gains and strengthening during this downtime.
Train with Dynamic Fitness
Exercise is an important part of our overall health, but before starting any exercise regimen, it is crucial to warm up, stretch, and fuel your body to help avoid injury.
If you are ready to reach your fitness goals, call our personal trainers at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation to develop an exercise plan just for you! We’ll activate your body’s true potential and get you moving again. Schedule your fitness assessment today—813-422-5671!