Minimize Risk of Serious Gym Injuries
Workout Advice from a Bay Area Sports Injury Specialist
Before starting a new workout routine, learn to understand your limits, and consult a San Francisco sports medicine doctor before training. Some of the most common conditions in sports medicine (which many folks sustain at the gym) include foot and ankle, knee, lower back, shoulder, or neck injuries. Improper form, overtraining, and lack of stretching can cause, or at least increase the risk of, these types of injuries. Not receiving treatment increases the risk of permanent damage.
Follow these workout tips to avoid a trip to a sports injury specialist:
- Use proper form. Using improper form may feel easier, but it can inadvertently create more work and more strain. Learn to complete an exercise with proper form. When it comes to safety and strength, quality is more important than quantity. Go slow and avoid herky-jerky motions or sudden, jolting movements.
- Follow recommended guidelines for reps and weight. For the best results, lift heavy weights very slowly until failure. Ideally, aim for 2 very slow sets of 8-10 reps, but to be on the safe side, be sure to consult your personal physician prior to any strenuous exercise.
- Get adequate rest. Overtraining can decrease the effectiveness of your workouts and increase the chance of injury. Allow at least 12-24 hours between workouts and listen to your body. You don’t need to lift more than twice a week—studies convincingly show that any additional work is superfluous.
Get the Best Sports Medicine San Francisco Has to Offer
Avoid most sports injuries by training properly, and you will see results with dedication and time. Severe shoulder and knee injuries require treatment. If you want to consult with a Bay Area sports injury specialist regarding your training regimen or an injury, call IASM at 415-923-0944. You can also book online by clicking HERE.