Let’s face it: the worst part of working out is getting started in the first place. It’s even worse when you dive right in, and then end up hurting yourself because you did something wrong. Exercise, like anything else, requires focus and practice to do properly. Once you get on the right track it can change your life for the better, but it’s important to do it right from the beginning to avoid potentially serious injuries.
There are a number of very common exercise-related injuries that afflict even experienced athletes. Let’s examine some of the most common workout injuries you might experience, and how to avoid getting hurt yourself as you try to live a healthier life.
Common Workout Injuries
Common workout injuries can happen to just about anyone at any time. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been exercising for years or you’re brand new to the game. They can, however, create major setbacks that can keep you from getting well, That’s why it’s important to have some education and knowledge.
Sprained Ankles
A sprained ankle occurs when you damage the ligaments in your ankle, usually because of unexpected, sudden, or “wrong” movement (your foot moves in a way it’s not designed to move). These can take a few days to a month or more to heal, depending on the location and severity.
Avoiding sprained ankles can be done by stretching out and warming up your ankle before working out. Wear the right supportive footwear, especially if you’re going to be running or shifting a lot.
Runner’s Knee
Another common injury is runner’s knee, and you don’t have to be a sprinter to get it. It’s technically called Patellofemoral pain syndrome and it’s caused by irritation to the kneecap where it meets the thigh.
Preventing runner’s knee is accomplished by running on soft surfaces to reduce impact, as well as wearing cushioned running shoes and strengthening your knees with proper stretching and exercise.
Back Injuries
Shoulder, upper and lower back injuries are astoundingly common, and are generally caused by damage to your ligaments or muscles in the injured region. This can result from heavy lifting, sudden impacts, jarring motion or twisting in the wrong way.
Using proper posture while lifting and moving is essential to avoiding back and shoulder injuries, as is limbering up. Perform stretching and warmup exercises before training, and do exercises designed to strengthen your core.
Hamstring Injuries
Damage to the muscles in your hamstring can cause a pulled or strained muscle, which much like a sprained ankle can take days or even months to heal properly, depending on the severity of the strain or tear. These usually occur during sprinting or sports like dancing and martial arts.
The best way to prevent this injury is simply to engage in proper warmups and stretching both before and after exercise, allowing for additional warm-up time in colder weather. Compression clothing is also a big help with this kind of injury.
Compression Clothing
Compression clothing is, in fact, a great way to reduce the chance of many common exercise injuries. Check out the Obesinov range of custom-fit compression wear and take your workout to the next level today!