Earlier this month, we introduced 10 tips for getting started with fitness, a great read for anyone trying out a new type of workout. These 5 tips offer an ideal follow-up, helping you stay safe and sound as you tackle your new fitness routine.
Hydrate first
We know you’ve heard it before: staying hydrated is an essential part of working out safely. However, you may not realize how important it is to hydrate BEFORE you practice so you start with a full tank. Yes, take breaks and hydrate while you work out. But if you start on empty, you’ll be playing catch up the whole time.
Take time to align
Making sure you are doing the exercises properly is essential. You don’t need to be perfect, but if you use resistance in the wrong way it could compromise your joints. Slow down enough to make sure you have the exercise in the right form and you’ll be practicing injury-free for much longer.
Be aware of current conditions
The Harvard Health Institute¹ reminds us that exercising in excessively hot weather or poor air quality can hurt us more than it helps us. Allow yourself to take a rest day when conditions feel extreme or perhaps do a relaxing yoga practice on those days instead. Alternatively, if you are practicing inside and have access to air conditioning for heat or an air filter for safety, then go ahead and dive in!
Start slowly
Most of us have times where we fall off our fitness routines. When this happens, don’t beat yourself up, but also don’t try to pick up where you left off. Your muscles and cardiovascular system will need time to build back up after a break. Be sure to start back very gently and increase the intensity slowly.
Don’t go too hard
For those who are very disciplined in their workout routines, practicing too often or with too much intensity can cause risk. Our limits can sometimes be hard to gauge when we’re trying to push ourselves in a healthy way. Listen to your intuition. If you feel overly fatigued or sense the possibility you could injure yourself, put your well-being first and pause for now.
Ready to get safely sweaty? Try our Total Body in 20 class collection.
Sources
1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/10-tips-for-exercising-safely
