No Thanks-Injuries

By Johnny Martin, CPT

The gym can be a scary place for most who are just starting out or for those who are attempting a max lift or trying out a new exercise. When trying knew things, maxing out, or starting to workout for the first time; it is important to avoid injuries in any way possible. Injuries can cause you to lose the gains you achieved, make daily living more difficult, and deter you from coming back to the gym as a whole.

The best way to avoid injury is practicing proper form and technique when performing the exercises within your workout. Locking your knees in an exercise, such as the leg press, can put stress on the knee joint and the ligaments surrounding the joint. It is important to remember to keep your glutes and quadriceps engaged while performing those types of exercises, to help support those knee joints. If you have trouble keeping yourself from locking your knees, reduce the weight and focus on proper and safe form.

Another way to prevent injury in the gym is to let your body rest properly in between workouts. If you are someone who works out multiple times a day, it is important to prioritize recovery to allow your muscle and body to heal. You can incorporate a 5-minute cool down at the end of your workout, getting additional sleep, or maybe take an extra day off if your body isn’t quite feeling 100%. Also, it is important to always set time aside to static stretch or foam roll post workout.

So, keep working hard and reaching those goals, but make sure to do it carefully and safely. Give your body time to rest, and practice good form while completing exercises. Even if that means lowering the weight and slowing each rep down just a little bit more.