People exercise at the gym to boost their health. However, just like in any public place, there are potential dangers lurking in the gym. Hence, if you don’t want to halt your daily workout session, you should be aware of the common workout hazards and what to do in case you experience them.
To help you out, here are some potential gym-related injuries you may encounter as well as some tips to avoid any potential hazards:
- Faulty Gym Equipment
Gym equipment is being used on a daily basis by different people. With this in mind, it can cause wear and tear, which may result in faulty gym equipment that can pose a threat to you.
To avoid this, ask the gym personnel about how often the equipment is repaired and assessed. Also, speak up whenever you see something broken. If you’ve noticed that some cables start to fray or any part doesn’t seem to operate effectively or correctly, stop using the equipment and immediately report the problem to the staff member.
- Strains And Sprains
Lifting too much weight, overdoing your workout, using poor techniques, and stretching improperly can result in gym injuries. Hence, if something feels wrong, immediately stop what you’re doing. Prepare an ice pack or rest your injured body part. You should also apply compression to reduce any swelling. Then, tell the gym staff about what happened and document everything.
Even though you’re feeling okay, it’s best to call your friend or family to assist you from the gym to your home. This is because there are times that the adrenaline kicks in and you might not realize you’re injured until you end up doing more damage.
- Falls
Running, bumping different things in the gym, and jumping can increase your risk of falling and tripping. Luckily, this common workout hazard can be avoided by being aware of your surroundings.
Watch for the things that you might trip over, such as a sweatshirt, hand weights, water bottle, or a loose set of keys. Make sure to move them to a much safer place. Also, be extra careful in wet areas, especially around the hot tubs, pools, and showers where you’ll likely slip and fall.
- Infections
Bacteria and germs are everywhere, including gyms. However, they’re prevalent in wet areas, which is why the sweat on the gym equipment can be the bacteria’s breeding ground. Bacteria can also thrive on towels found on the locker room floors, cardio machines, benches, and weights that members use when exercising.
If there’s a hot tub or a swimming pool in your gym, ask your staff about how frequently they’re cleaned and how often they check the chemical balance. Also, to avoid any infection, it’s best to wear shower shoes or a pair of flip-flops to reduce the chances of getting toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, or bacterial infections.
You should also wash your hands often and wipe down your preferred gym equipment after or before you work out. If you plan to use the benches or the sauna, sit on a towel.
Tips To Avoid The Common Workout Hazards
If you don’t want to interrupt your workout sessions, there are several tips on how you can avoid the common workout hazards, including the following:
- Perform Warm-Up And Cool-Down Exercises
Doing a warm-up exercise will get the blood flowing to your muscles and will prepare you for better exertion. When doing a cardio exercise session, start by doing stretches and perform in light exertion and an easy pace for three to five minutes before increasing your exertion. After your main session, take a few minutes to cool down at a low exertion level.
For strength training and some exercise activities, perform warm-up exercises for up to three to five minutes of walking on the treadmill to get your blood flowing to your muscles. This may also allow you to perform better.
- Always Consult A Personal Trainer
Although you can rely on written instructions and apps for the right technique, nothing beats someone taking a look at your form. So, make sure to ask for help from a personal trainer for several sessions to ensure that you’re doing the moves properly. It’s always a good idea to work with a personal trainer because they can serve as your safety accessory.
Personal trainers can also watch your form to ensure that you’re doing the exercise properly. Plus, they can boost your intensity and exercise duration in a stepwise manner, which will provide you with great training with less risk of injuries.
Conclusion
By being aware of the common workout hazards and the ways to avoid them, you’ll be able to make the most of your workout sessions without experiencing any convenience. So, whenever you go to the gym or wherever you do your workout sessions, always remember the above information for you to meet your fitness goals in no time.
