You already know the importance of working out on a regular basis. No matter what you enjoy doing, from running to going to the gym or practicing yoga, getting in a good workout can completely turn your day around.
But, just as important as regular workouts are rest days. It’s recommended that you rest one day after every 3-5 days of exercising. This gives your body a chance to recover and your muscles a chance to repair. Simply put, it’s the best way to stay safe if you workout regularly.
There are also ways you can stay safe during your exercise routines, no matter what they are.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few tips you can use while you work out to protect yourself, while still having fun and breaking a sweat.
1. Warm Up and Work Your Way Up
You should always plan for at least a 10-minute warm-up, no matter what type of exercising you’re doing. Doing a strenuous workout with cold muscles can put you at a greater risk of injury.
Fluid stretches, light jogging in place or even some jumping jacks can help to get your blood flowing and warm your muscles. Even after a warm-up, you should ease into your workout gradually, building up the intensity as time goes on.
2. Protect Your Ears
Many people listen to music while working out, and it can be a great motivator! But, you probably aren’t thinking about the overall health of your ears while you’re doing it. If you’re listening to loud music with headphones in the gym or at home, you could be damaging your ears which could eventually lead to hearing issues.
Be sure to protect your hearing while you’re working out by turning the music down, or listening to music that doesn’t have such a driving bass.
3. Practice Good Form
Strength training is a great way to burn fat, build muscle, and get stronger. But, too many people make the mistake of using too much weight and not paying attention to their form. You will actually get in a better strength training workout with less weight and proper form.
A good rule of thumb is to have a mirror in front of you whenever you’re doing strength training. That way, you can check in at every angle of your position to make sure you’re doing it correctly. Improper form can easily cause an injury, including sprains and/or pulled muscles. If you don’t know how to do a particular move with the correct form, try it first with no weight at all until you’re sure you’re doing it correctly.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
You can never be reminded enough to stay properly hydrated during a workout. That’s especially true on hot days or if you are exercising in a warm place. Working out can quickly cause you to become overheated. You may exhibit signs like:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Cramps
If you start to feel any of those issues, make sure you stop exercising immediately, get a drink, and cool off as quickly as possible.
While working out should be fun and you should be comfortable with pushing yourself, it’s also important to listen to your body. Keep these safety tips in mind during your next exercise routine to ensure you’re doing what’s best for your body.
