Skipping the warm-up and lifting an excessive amount of can result in injury.
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Exercising is the most effective things you’ll be able to do to your health, and also you deserve an enthusiastic pat on the back for all of the physical activity you're doing. But if you happen to're doing all your exercises the improper way, you may find yourself hurting, not helping your body.
One of the most important exercise mistakes is using the improper technique. You risk a back injury if you happen to arch your back when doing planks or push-ups, and a knee injury if you happen to bend too deeply in a lunge or squat (see “Move of the Month” ).
Another mistake is doing the improper exercise. For example, running when you might have severe back or knee arthritis puts lots of stress on the joints.
But these are only just a few exercises. Consider the next, and see if it is advisable to take steps to repair them.
Move of the Month: Squat
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Movement: From standing, lower your hips toward the ground as if sitting. Stand along with your hips above knee level. Keep your back straight, not arched. Return to starting position. Repeat 10 times.Skipping the warm-up
Fix it: Warm up your muscles before doing just a few minutes of repetitive motion, similar to marching in place or arm curls. It provides blood, heat and oxygen to the muscles and enables them to contract.
To be inconsistent
Infrequent or weekend exercise is less effective than more frequent activity, and cramming per week's price of exercise into one session increases the danger of injury.
Fix it: For most individuals, the weekly goal must be 150 minutes of moderate exercise (that gets your heart and lungs pumping) and strength training at the very least twice per week. This can include short aerobic exercise (at the very least 20 minutes) every day or long exercise (at the very least 50 minutes) 3 times per week.
Carrying an excessive amount of weight
Lifting an excessive amount of weight — especially lifting an excessive amount of too soon, if you happen to're just beginning to get back right into a routine — can result in muscle tears.
Fix it: Use lighter weights and lift them more often. “Instead of one set of five or 10 with a 5-pound weight, do two or three sets of 20 lifts using a 2-pound weight,” says Safran-Norton.
Not relaxing muscle groups
Working the identical muscle groups day by day can result in injury. Muscles need at the very least 48 hours to recuperate and rebuild after vigorous exercise.
Fix it: Alternate which muscle groups you’re employed every day, similar to arms and shoulders on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but not on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Improper hydration
Fluids help cushion your joints and stabilize blood pressure and heart rate. Exercising causes you to lose water and electrolytes (sodium, potassium) while you sweat, and it also causes a build-up of lactic acid in your muscles (which might result in muscle soreness).
Fix it: Healthy people need six to eight cups of fluid per day, and more in the event that they're exercising. “Some people do well with water; others do well with sports drinks to replace electrolytes,” says Safran-Norton.
Poor currency
Exercising with loose posture and rounded shoulders puts you in danger for back and shoulder injuries (similar to rotator cuff tears).
Fix it: Keep your shoulders down and back, your back straight, and work with a physical therapist to correct poor posture.