Prevent & Treat Common Workout Injuries

11/11/2013 Leave a comment

Hildgrim CC-BY-SA-2.0

Whether you are in top shape or a beginner, a workout injury can happen to anyone. You can experience an injury even when you are walking. A sprained joint or injured muscle can side-line you for days or even weeks. You can and should take steps to help reduce your risk of injury before and after every workout. The most common types of workout injuries include:

  • strained muscles
  • sprained ankles or other joints
  • knee injuries
  • wrist and shoulder injuries
  • tendinitis

Warm-up your muscles and joints before exercise and a cool-down after your workout can greatly reduce your risk of muscle and joint injury. Cool-down by doing light exercise until your heart rate and respiration return to normal. Stretch your muscles and joints again. Stretching after a workout helps to reduce the levels of lactic acid and other metabolic waste in your muscle cells, which is thought to contribute to post-exercise muscle soreness.

Don’t push yourself too hard during a workout. Know your body and  your limits. Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your workout by working harder, longer or increasing repetitions. Soon your strength and endurance will increase which can also help reduce your risk of injury.

Cross training is another good way to increase muscle strength, improve endurance and reduce your risk of injury. Shin splints and tendinitis are injuries that usually result from repetitive motions and over-use of one muscle or muscle group. Always rest at least 24 hours between workouts to give your muscles time to heal. For example, if you run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, try some light weight lifting on Tuesday and Thursday. Vary your workout so that all of your major muscle groups get a workout, but no single muscle or muscle group is over-worked.

If you do suffer an injury, remember R.I.C.E.: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate. Rest your injured muscle. Don’t work it until the injury is completely healed. You can still work your other muscles or engage in exercise that does not stress your injury. For example, if you injure your shoulder lifting weights, switch your workout to leg presses or walk and jog until your shoulder is fully healed. Apply ice to the injured area to reduce swelling. Applying a compression bandage to the affected joint or muscle also helps reduce swelling. Elevate injured limbs to further help reduce swelling. Use a mild over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medication if necessary. Most exercise injuries will heal in a few weeks or even in a few days. See your doctor if your injury does not heal, pain increases or does not subside, or if there is swelling and bruising around the injured area.

 

Filed under aerobic exercise, exercise, flexibility, planning, safety, stretch, stretching, WELLNESS, workout, workouts

Winsor Pilates Ball Workout

02/27/2013 Leave a comment

Photo by José Vílchez

Photo Credit: José Vílchez

Pilates is a popular form of exercise practiced by Hollywood stars, athletes and ordinary people. Pilates isn’t a fad. It is a type of exercise developed in the early 1900s by Joseph Pilates, an athlete who designed the exercise to help improve range of motion, strength and balance. The philosophy of Pilates promotes harmony of body and mind. This type of exercise takes concentration, dedication and supervision by a trained Pilates instructor. Pilates exercise movements can be modified to include exercise equipment, such as an exercise ball. Winsor Pilates was developed by Mari Winsor, a former professional dancer and fitness expert. Mari Winsor developed her slimming style of Pilates about 20 years ago. Her form of Pilates emphasizes the slimming and toning nature of Pilates exercises. Mari Winsor trained with a Pilates expert who was trained by Joseph Pilates himself. She opened a studio in Los Angeles where she has trained celebrities as well as regular people. Mari Winsor often employs equipment, such as balls, to enhance the toning and trimming effects of Pilates exercises.

If you want a strong core, Pilates can help you get it. Pilates mat exercises using an exercise ball can help you strengthen your abdominal and back muscles. Balancing on the ball while performing Winsor Pilates exercises engages all of your core muscles. The ball provides an unstable surface which forces your abdominal muscles to continuously make small adjustments to keep your body stable and balanced. Researchers reported in a study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy that women who were previously sedentary developed stronger abdominal and back muscles as well as improved endurance and flexibility.

Regular Pilates workouts can help you develop better posture, too. You’ll experience greater flexibility and greater range of motion as you stretch your muscles and strengthen your joints. Strengthening your back muscles and core can also help prevent or relieve minor back pain caused by weak muscles. You can do Pilates 2 to 3 times each week as part of your strength training routine. Pilates isn’t effective for weight loss, so you still need about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week to lose weight and maintain weight loss.

The exercise ball, also called a stability ball, can be incorporated in Pilates routines to help strengthen your core and back muscles. There are different skill levels of Winsor Pilates ball exercises to accommodate beginners to the Winsor ball expert. No matter how fit you are, you should begin with the easiest form of Winsor Pilates ball exercises until your body becomes accustomed to balancing on the unstable surface of the ball. The intermediate and advanced levels present a challenge by requiring greater coordination with multiple moves. Pilates exercises on an exercise ball include the shoulder bridge, the roll over with scissors, the twist and leg pull. Do knee folds by sitting on the ball with your feet hip-width apart on the floor. Lift one foot off the floor and hold it for 5 seconds. Repeat with the other leg.

The first thing you should think about is finding the right Pilates instructor and selecting the right size ball. Not all exercise balls are created equal. Select a ball that gives slightly when you sit on it. You should be able to sit comfortably on the ball with your knees bent at a 90 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor. Practice sitting on the ball to find your balance and adjust your core to stabilizing your body. Once you feel comfortable on the ball, try a few simple Pilates exercises, such as knee folds.

Filed under abdominal muscles, abs, fitness, flexibility, Pilates, strength training

Benefits of Yoga

05/09/2012 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Yoga4Love Public Domain
Yoga is an excellent way to calm your mind, stretch your muscles and improve your level of fitness. Some people envision bodies contorted like pretzels when they think about yoga. Yoga is a great way to stretch all the muscles of your body, improve your range of motion and get a good non-aerobic workout. Stretching your muscles releases stored lactic acid from the muscle tissues that causes stiffness, soreness and tension in your muscles. There are different styles of yoga each designed for different outcomes. Power yoga, called ashtanga, is a vigorous style of exercise that will improve your muscle tone. Iyengar style yoga focuses on precise poses that improve strength and endurance. Standing positions can improve the strength in your legs and abdominal muscles as well as improve balance. 
Yoga helps improve your posture. Standing and sitting positions help to strengthen your core and your back muscles. Holding yoga poses strengthens the abdominal and back muscles. Stronger core muscles helps you to maintain good posture throughout the day whether you are sitting, standing or walking. The more you practice yoga poses, the more aware you become of your body and your posture. You are less likely to slump when sitting and to stand up straight because of increased body awareness.
Deep breathing exercises when doing yoga can improve your lung capacity. Deeper breathing increases the oxygen in your blood, which can improve your performance and endurance when doing more strenuous exercise. Deep breathing yoga exercises also helps you to relax by reducing the amount of adrenalin in your body. 

People who suffer from neck, spine, and shoulder injuries should not do yoga or any other stretching exercise without a doctor’s approval. Those who suffer from osteoporosis and pregnant women should also avoid yoga exercises. See your doctor before beginning a yoga program. Don’t try to do yoga on your own. Find a qualified yoga fitness instructor so that you learn the proper way to perform yoga poses and stretches. 

Filed under breathing, flexibility, strength, stretching, yoga

Kickboxing Your Way to a Fitter You

03/23/2012 Leave a comment

Photo Credit: ashs CC-BY-3.0



Kickboxing has become more popular in recent years with gyms offering classes and people lining up to kick their way to a leaner, stronger body. There are instructional videos on the Internet and available for purchase. Many late night infomercials offer variations of kickboxing workouts to sleepless viewers. Many of the most popular kickboxing-style exercise DVDs and gym programs combine a high-intensity aerobic workout with punching, kicking and blocking m moves. These exercises help to build strength, flexibility, endurance and confidence. Kickboxing style exercise is not for everyone, but it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. A kickboxing class at a gym is a fun way to get fit in a group with a competent fitness instructor to guide you all along the way. 

Most routines in kickboxing are designed to be against an imaginary opponent, but some classes are designed where the members spar with each other or kick a heavy bag. You can burn more than 400 calories per hour in a kickboxing class. Get a checkup at your doctor’s office and tell him or her that you want to take a kickboxing class. If your doctor gives you a green light, join a class for beginners. Introduce yourself to the instructor and get a list of equipment you may need for the class. Come prepared to get a serious workout that will leave you feeling exhausted but confident. 

Filed under endurance, exercise, fitness, flexibility, kick boxing, strength

Different Kinds of Fitness: Which Is Right For You?

03/10/2012 1 Comment

Photo Credit: Fishtoes2000 at en.wikipedia CC-BY-3.0

When you lead an active life that includes exercise and a healthy diet, you look better and you feel better. Your are at a lower risk for disease, including heart attack, diabetes, some types of cancer, stroke and high blood pressure. Exercise can also help you feel better emotionally by improving self-esteem and creating a sense of well-being. Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to exercise or to find a type of exercise you not only enjoy doing but one that will be right for you. There are so many ways to exercise, but how do you know what kind of exercise program will work for you? Choose the type of exercise that fits your lifestyle and will help you reach your fitness goals. 
Muscle strengthening is a type of exercise where the focus is on stronger muscles and building muscle tissue. Stronger muscles can help you lift heavier objects or to work and exercise longer before tiring. Muscle strengthening exercises include push-ups, sit-ups, isometric exercises and lifting weights. 

Aerobic exercise helps improve your lungs and your heart. Aerobic exercise increases the amount of oxygen to the cells of your body, especially to your muscles. Exercise that increases your breathing and heart rate is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise is most effective when you sweat and exercise for 30 minutes or more. Examples of aerobic exercise include dancing, running, jogging and bicycling. 
Flexibility is important to help you avoid injury and remain active without becoming sore and stiff. Stretching exercises help to improve flexibility. Stretching before exercise can help you to avoid injury during your workout. Stretching after a vigorous workout helps your body cool down and may help you avoid sore muscles.
Balance exercises help improve your posture as well as  your balance. Good balance can help you avoid injury during exercise. Poor posture can lead to back pain.Examples of balance exercises include standing on one leg for 30 seconds or longer, standing on your toes, balancing your body on your heels and standing on a balance board or a foam stability mat.  
The best fitness program will include all four types of exercise. Some activities, like swimming, bicycling, sports and yard work, include aerobic, strength, flexibility and balance exercise. When you choose activities or select an exercise program, do what you enjoy. You will be more likely to make exercise a habit if you have fun doing it. 

Filed under aerobic exercise, exercise, fitness, flexibility, strength training

Avoid Knee Injury

02/24/2012 Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Nevit Dilmen CC-BY-SA-3.0  2010

Your knees take a pounding every day. Every step you take, climbing stairs, walking through the grocery store, pressing the gas and brake pedal in your car, and standing up and sitting down all require movement of your knee joints. Running, jogging and jumping are high-impact activities that can cause injury if your knee muscles weak or the joint not as flexible as it should be. You can avoid knee injury by strengthening your knee muscles with exercise and taking a few common sense precautions. 
Take care of your joints by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy foods and keeping your weight under control. Extra pounds can take a toll on your knee joints. Losing weight can  help you avoid acute injury and long-term chronic pain due to deterioration of the joint. Extra stress is placed on the knee joint, muscles and tendons with every step when you are overweight. Regular exercise, rest, hydration and a healthy diet can help you lose weight and save knees.  
Most knee injuries can be attributed to weak muscles in the leg. Exercises that strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles can help prevent knee injury and pain. Balance exercises also help promote knee health. Use a balance board to exercise and strengthen the leg muscles. Simple exercises that you can do just about anywhere, any time include standing on one leg for 60 seconds, standing on your toes, shifting your weight to your heels for 30 seconds or more and swimming. Swimming is an excellent whole body aerobic workout. 
If you are already experiencing knee pain, stiffness or weakness, see your doctor to rule out injury or a condition, such as gout or osteoarthritis. Consult a personal fitness trainer to help you develop an exercise and diet program to improve your knee health. 

Filed under flexibility, joint pain, joints, knees, strength