Preventing Workout Injuries

Exercise is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Depending on your age and abilities, doctors typically recommend an average of three cardiovascular workouts per week, lasting an hour each. However, if you exercise improperly, it can result in muscle and joint damage rather than a heart-healthy workout.

First, it is important that you do a warm-up. This gets your muscles ready to participate in the harder workout that comes later. A warm-up starts your blood flowing faster, carrying necessary nutrients and oxygen to your muscles so that they can perform properly in your cardio activities.

Also, form is very important whether you are choosing to do things like Pilates or lift weights. If you are holding your body improperly, it can damage your joints and even result in ligament strains. For instance, when you are performing crunches during Pilates, you have to focus on keeping your spine in alignment so that you do not hurt your neck.

Lastly, listen to your body. If there is one workout sequence that always hurts you, you may want to try a different pattern of exercises that still works the same muscles. Should you have a sharp pain in a joint or muscle, it could mean an actual injury, and working out with it could be worse.

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To help you prevent workout injuries, consider hiring a personal trainer that is educated in proper form and technique. This way, someone holds you accountable to doing a warm up and listening to your body.

For a personal trainer who does more than just help you prevent workout injuries, contact Chicago certified personal trainer Beth from B4 Health and Fitness. Beth wants to help you meet your workout and weight loss goals. Contact Beth today at 773-251-4619.