Working out is good for you but what happens if you get injured? Is there any way to minimize the risks of a vigorous workout?
At Cross Kickboxing of Morristown, we’re always happy to answer questions about from our clients and prospective clients about safety because your safety is our priority.
Any time you work out, there’s some risk that you’ll get injured. Most injuries are minor, including muscle pulls and things of that nature. There’s no way to eliminate the risk completely because we’re all human and sometimes things happen that are outside of our control.
That said, there are some things you can do to protect yourself and make it unlike that you’ll get injured during a fitness class.
The first piece of advice I can give you is to focus on form. When beginners get injured, it’s almost always because they try to do too much, too soon. They might sign up for a class that’s too intense for their fitness level or overdo it trying to keep up with their classmates.
Our instructors will always demonstrate the proper technique for students to follow. It’s important to pay attention to what they show you and imitate their moves precisely. If you have a physical limitation that makes it impossible to do a move, then ask your instructor and they’ll provide you with an alternative or modification.
Another common cause of injuries is failure to warm up before a workout. Warmups are important because they help your muscles get loose and get your blood flowing. Without a proper warm-up, you’ll be going into a fitness class with cold muscles that are more susceptible to injury than warm ones.
At the other end of the workout, you should always make sure to cool down and stretch. In my experience, most people don’t spend enough time stretching after a workout. Stretching will reduce post-workout discomfort.
If you do get injured in class, you should tell the instructor immediately. An experienced fitness instructor will know whether the injury is serious and requires medical attention, or just a way to work around the injury. In most cases, a minor injury can be treated with simple home remedies such as ice and aspirin.
If you have special concerns due to physical limitations or old injuries, please feel free to talk to me. We’re happy to work with you to help you have a safe workout.