Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Safety Tips For Fitness Buffs

By Kat Wendersen

There are those who believe that for workouts to really work, pain is absolutely necessary. However, while a certain amount of discomfort is normal, especially when you're going through a completely new exercise regimen, it is important to pay attention to pain. This is because of the fact that pain is a means for the body to signal that something is going wrong.

A good workout routine will test you, but shouldn't damage you. As muscles get used, especially somewhat beyond their usual range, lactic acid, micro-tears and other physiological changes occur that result in muscles being built up stronger than before.

However, if you experience other sorts of pain, such as chronic back pain, neck injuries, sore joints, and others, then you should consult with a trainer. This is because the pain may result from the exercise techniques not being performed as they should. The worse part may be that you may have a medical condition that you are not aware of.

The progression of any exercise program depends on a lot of conditions -- age, experience, prior exercise routines, and overall fitness. Work on your own pace. It is safer to work up your pace slowly. Be sure to warm up before proceeding on any workout routine. Muscles should be flexed and lubricated before use. Many strains and muscle injuries arise from improper warming up and stretching.

Warm-ups should take at least 15 minutes and include very gentle jogging in place or jumping jacks to get the cardio and lung systems working well. They should include some slow, gradual stretching to get joints lubricated and muscles relaxed and gently lengthened. Warm-ups that are too short can easily lead to stretched or torn cartilage that takes a long time to heal.

Do not be fooled by inexperienced instructors who tell you that you have to be able to finish a 5-mile run only two weeks after you underwent surgery, or survived an injury or some other debilitating condition. Allow yourself to undergo physical therapy, which can help you restore you back to good health.

People who work out tend to push themselves too hard, often to the limits, in order to achieve their goals. This is a very good motivation, but do not overdo it. Keep in mind that you are exercising to keep healthy and to maintain overall body tone and strength. Getting injured is farthest from your goals.

Before you begin anything that is entirely new, make sure to ask the opinion of a well-trained instructor. This will help ensure that you are using the appropriate technique, which will then reduce the likelihood of injury. Ask how to use machines appropriately before trying it. It is better to ask questions, after all, rather than getting injured in not knowing.

Pay attention to your environment while working out. This will help ensure that you do not get into harm's way as you jog, for instance, when you hit a car, a wall, or another person.

Pace yourself when you workout; start with the basics and easy routines, slowly progressing to the more advanced and complex ones. This should keep you away from injuries. Many exercise buffs find themselves quitting their workouts because of injuries. You do not want this to happen. Doing the exercises slowly, pacing yourself, and working up on the difficulty levels will ensure a safe and productive workout regimen for you.

Exercise common sense in doing your exercises. - 15683

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