Most regular gym goers will have been injured at some point, either by overtraining and straining a muscle or accidents in the gym with equipment or other users, most of the time they are minor incidents and after a bit of rest a full recovery is made. But you can avoid many injuries by following a few simple rules.
- If you’re lifting heavy weights, take a friend (spotter), who can help you if they get too much. And while you’re resting you can spot them.
- Pay attention – if’ you start watching a programme while running on a treadmill you could easily end up clipping your foot and losing balance. While it might amuse others to see you fly off, it will hurt and you could do yourself some serious harm.
- Plan your work out area and if you can, keep away from other users – they will be focused on their own session and could easily drop weights or trip over you.
- Put away your weights – if everyone did this then no one could trip over them. Be sure they are secure before you walk away – putting a ball back on a rack is fine, but if it isn’t in place it could bounce off and hit an unsuspecting person.
- If in doubt – ask – don’t try an exercise you’re not sure about, poor form could cause injury and at best would be ineffective and a waste of time. A gym instructor can show you how to do it (or another appropriate option).
- And of course, warm up, cool down and stretch!