Beginning the gym process is often scary for most people- they fear the unknown. Don’t let the thought of joining a gym for the first time scare you. Everything will be alright and you will soon feel that you a part of a gym family.
Finding the right gym is often the toughest part. You definitely need to take in to account the distance you will be traveling, whether or not the gym has the right equipment (weights, day-care, fitness classes, etc.) to help you meet your needs, and reasonable memberships rates. The next step is to familiarize yourself with the workout process. Beginning a new fitness routine is rather challenging and often hazardous to the body if you’re not completely careful. I recommend contacting a fitness expert with questions or help with setting up a new fitness routine. Recent studies show that beginner gym “go-ers” are more likely to injure themselves compared to the entire gym population. Below is a list of injuries that you need to be aware of so you can be sure to steer clear of them.
Common Gym Injuries/Mistakes For Beginners:
- Pulled muscles: Over-doing it is a common mistake for beginners and this mistake can lead to severe injuries such as pulled muscles, back pains, or extreme soreness. Always be sure to warm up and stretch before working out.
- Dropping weights: Be sure not to drop weights and be sure to watch out for other people dropping weights. The free-weight section of the gym is the most common area for injuries due to the dropping of weights. Be careful when racking your weights, too- it’s easy to pinch your fingers. Stay focused and be aware!
- Slips/Trips: Be sure to watch where you step and walk. The gym is usually the messiest place around; misplaced weights and water spills are common just about anywhere and everywhere.
- Not using proper technique/spotter: Be sure to use proper technique when lifting weights. I recommend using a knowledgeable spotter or machines, which help control movements, when you are first starting out. This will help reduce the risk of injury tremendously.
- Dehydration: Please, please, please be sure to drink plenty of water while exercising. The body naturally sweats to cool the body down and this process is enhanced during exercise. I recommend drinking enough water to have to take a bathroom break during your workout. Try to drink 8-16 ounces before, 8-16 ounces for every hour of exercise, and 8-16 ounces after.