December is here and a lot of you are already thinking about the resolutions you want to take for the New Year that’s fast approaching. In the meantime, there a handful of people thinking about how their fitness resolutions taken in the beginning of 2016 failed without being surprised about it. We are sure that the workout sessions are again going to top your list of resolutions for 2017.

 
In all enthusiasm, a lot of people indulge in workouts to an extent that their body can’t take and end up having injuries. To avoid such injuries, here are a few tips to strike a balance between your enthusiasm levels and your body’s capacity to withstand the strenuous exercises.

 
1. Age is not just a number: Well, your mind may feel 16 but your body wears out as you age. That’s the theory of nature. The primary thing to avoid injuries is to keep in mind the fact that your body may not accept the exercises that you did in the 30’s when you’re in your 40’s.

2. When in doubt, talk to a trainer: Trainers are readily available in most of the fitness centres to help you with clarifications. Reach out to them to device a personalized fitness regime. The kind of exercises you do, the order in which you do them, the number of repetitions, duration, etc. differs for every individual according to the age, gender and body condition. Hence it is imperative to have a session with a professional who can guide you through this.

3. Listen to your shoes: A lot of injury relating to the foot can be avoided just by wearing the right shoe. By right shoe we mean, right size and right quality. Did you know that shoes are sometimes customize based on your body weight to support your workout?  If you don’t remember the last time you got your shoes, you’re in trouble. Head to a specialty store immediately to get expert advice.

4. Warm up & cross train: Warming up is definitely great for the muscles to flex. It also helps the muscles to be supplied with adequate oxygen and blood thereby preparing them for the workouts ahead. Cross training is also equally beneficial – it gives your muscles a much needed break from your normal workout routine.

5. Respect Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the indicators through which your body sends out signals to your brain. To a certain extent, this fatigue is required for making the muscles get stronger and more efficient during training. But it becomes a crucial sign when you over-do the workout resulting in injuries.

6. Hit the bed on time: A peaceful sleep for 7-8 hours is mandatory when you are following a workout schedule. Sleeping enables the muscles to relax and repair (if needed) after an effective training session. Ignoring this, can strain your muscles way too much and lead to injuries.

References:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-e xercise/features/6-ways-avoid- workout-injuries#1

http://www.active.com/fitness/ articles/8-tips-to-avoid-injur ies-while-exercising