Working out is one key way to stay fit and healthy, but according to a recent study, over 50% of gym injuries occur due to overexertion. Another 80% of injuries happen from mishandling weights. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re doing in your workouts to prevent injuries and get the best fitness results.
Many of us hit the gym with the best intentions.
But there are some mistakes that start even before you go.
“It starts off with sleep the night before. So, a lot of times, we just think about the physical aspect, but sleeping the night before, getting good quality sleep, that’ll set you up for the workout. Other things, as well, is not being fueled by nutrition,” said Pamela Figuiredo, Lead Trainer at Darwin Fitness Winter Park.
There are three common injuries that you want to avoid in the gym.
“Low back, typically it’s when people hunch over while doing exercises. Second one is knees. Doing movements, like lunges or anything where you’re favoring one side, and then, having pain with that and continuing with doing improper form, that’s going to aggravate the knee as well. And number three, believe it or not, is shoulders. So, shoulders, even if you don’t have shoulder injuries, sometimes, people, it’ll expose in the workout depending on their positioning holding things,” explained Figuiredo.
Also, don’t forget the importance of rest and recovery.
“This is overlooked by a lot of people. So, your rest days, adding saunas, adding compression boots, stretching mobility – those things are very important, if not, more important than the actual workout routine,” said Figuiredo.
A few more ways you could be sabotaging your workout, if you think cardio replaces lower-body strength, if you only use machines, and if you hit the gym without a plan.