Weight lifting can be a great way to build serious muscle and get into great shape. However, it can also be dangerous if not done properly. Weight lifters that are not following correct protocol can suffer strains, muscle tears, fractures, dislocations and worse. There are ways to protect yourself against these problems though, allowing weight lifting to get you into shape and strengthen your body and mind.
The first thing you need to do before beginning a weight lifting routine is speak with a doctor. Before you start any fitness routine or sport, you should always consult with your physician and get a checkup. While this may be most important for individuals over forty, it is not unheard of for younger people to have health problems which could interfere with lifting. Therefore, no matter your age, head to a doctor. The physician can check for an muscle problems, high blood pressure or heart disease which could pose a problem during your lifting routine. Once they give you the all clear, you are ready to begin.
As you start building your weightlifting routine, you will need to develop a warmup routine to start with. This routine will include warm-ups and stretches to increase blood flow and prepare your muscles for the work they are about to do. The stretches will improve your flexibility, making the heavier exercises a bit easier. Doing this pre-lifting session will reduce your chances of injury.
Learning to breathe properly is another way to protect yourself when lifting weights. When you hold your breath, your blood pressure can spike to dangerous levels. You need to learn how to breathe normally as you lift weights, inhaling and exhaling with each lift.
When you lift, and especially when you are just starting out, you need to find a reasonable weight that you can lift and how many reps you can lift it for. Starting out with too heavy a weight or too many reps can lead to injury and cause many problems for the lifter. Be reasonable and you can increase the weights and reps as you get better.
Finally, you may want to wear gloves to improve your grip on the equipment. If you are doing extremely heavy lifting, a belt can help provide hernias and back injuries. If you approach weight lifting in a safe, reasonable manner, you will be amazed at the changes you see in your body.
Sydney Garrison is an avid cyclist and sports enthusiast. She is also a partner in an online bike carrier store.
No comments:
Post a Comment