Did you know that if you’re starting a new fitness routine, there are many things you can do to prevent injuries, avoid overdoing it and stay safe?
It’s great to be excited and motivated to start a new exercise routine or program. But if you take on too much too fast (the "weekend warrior" phenomenon), you're at a higher risk of injury — especially if you haven't exercised in a while or have certain conditions.
Increase your physical activity safely:
- Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
- Start slow and steady. Avoid doing too much in a short amount of time. Instead, space out your exercise sessions and increase gradually the length of time and intensity.
- Warm up and cool down. Our bodies need this time to gradually warm up our cardiovascular system and then to recover.
- Use proper form and equipment. Group fitness classes like Juniper’s are beneficial because class leaders will make sure you’re doing the exercises correctly and safely.
Source: Mayo Clinic