Everybody wants to be the best version of themselves. But for us to be the version of ourselves that we envision, we need to have an active lifestyle. Working out, playing sports, and generally having a more active lifestyle keep our body in a functional condition.
When you’re working out, you’re improving your body by mastering motor skills and coordinating different parts of your body. When you work out, your muscles produce micro-tears that are a catalyst for muscle hypertrophy. Essentially, working out and exercising can help build muscle and burn calories.
But just like any other part of your body, your muscles, bones, and tendons can get injured. If you push your body to the limit, this can cause injuries, such as torn muscles. This is one of the main reasons it’s important to emphasize safety and workout guidelines.
However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has closed down many fitness centers, and many individuals are encouraged to work out at home instead of going to tightly packed gyms. But many individuals need guidance when working out, especially when it comes to safety and precautions.
So what are some common workout-related injuries that you need to be on the lookout for? What can you do to prevent such injuries? This discussion can guide you towards a safer way of working out while mitigating injuries.
Tendinitis
One of the most common injuries when lifting weights and working out is tendinitis. As the name suggests, tendinitis happens when your tendons are injured or inflamed. A variety of factors can cause this, but one of the most prevalent reasons is improper form when lifting weights.
Another common scenario is that many individuals who work out are quite sure of their form without proper guidance, which can cause more harm to the injury. Tendons take the brunt of energy from an improper form, which can cause inflammation.
Another scenario that can cause this is exercising too vigorously, especially when it comes to weights. Sudden movements when you’re lifting weights can overwork your ligaments. Fortunately, you can use a lot of equipment to support your ligaments and mitigate the chances of getting injured. For instance, quality elbow sleeves can help support your muscles and tendons when you’re lifting weights.
Muscle Cramps
Probably one of the most common injuries that people experience is in the form of muscle cramps. This usually occurs when muscles are being overworked. But there are also scenarios where muscles lack the proper supply of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. Electrolytes are normally used when muscles need to contract to lift weights and exert effort. But when muscles cramp, they involuntarily contract by themselves, which can cause very sharp pain.
Preventing muscle cramps is relatively simple. Most sports drinks have a good amount of electrolytes that can help mitigate muscle cramps. Still, it’s crucial to be aware that you shouldn’t work out too hard while listening to your body.
Slipped Discs
Compared to the other injuries that we have discussed, slipped discs are quite rare. But when this injury does happen, this can cause severe pain, and you might have to wait for several weeks to heal properly. Just like tendinitis, bad form and execution can cause this. To prevent this, you need to use your legs when you’re lifting weights. Being cognizant of your posture is another good way of lowering the risk of a slipped disc.
Muscle Strain
One of the most common workout injuries is strains, or normally known as pulled muscles. When you work your muscles, they’re usually stretched. When they overwork them, they can get stretched too far and torn. The most common areas where this can happen are your neck, lower back, and hamstrings. The most effective way of preventing this is by warming up your muscles right before doing any physically intense movement.
Although exercise is a significant influencer on our overall health, that does not mean that we should disregard safety rules and guidelines. Exercising regularly helps keep our strength up, but this is a great way of maintaining a healthy body. Improving our mental fortitude and overall well-being are also important reasons you should work out.
Still, taking necessary precautions when you’re working out should be a priority. You must listen to your body when you’re sweating it out. Contrary to what most people believe, pain does not necessarily mean that you’re making gains. That said, one can’t be too sure and safe when doing exercises. By following these tips, it’s easier to live a health and injury-free lifestyle.
