Many people are focusing on improving their health for the New Year, including embarking on a new fitness program. If you took up cycling, jogging or strength training as your New Year’s resolution, it is important to protect your body. Doing more exercise than you are used to can lead to injuries if you don’t care for your body. Here are some tips to avoid injuries with your new exercise routine in 2021.

Warm-Up and Cool Down

The pandemic has kept many people at home versus heading to the gym or a workout class. This means it is up to you to ensure you are preparing your body correctly and not overdoing it with your new exercise routine. Many soft tissue injuries can be avoided by simply warming up with some stretches and light cardio before your workout and performing a cool-down afterward. This gives your muscles, tendons and ligaments a chance to safely go in and out of your workout routine.

Hydrate and Replenish

Every cell in your body needs water and nutrients to survive and thrive. When you begin pushing your body to perform, it needs more hydration, electrolytes and other nutrients to repair and protect your muscles and joints. Enhancing your body with hydrating IV drip therapy can give your body quick access to the fluids and nutrients it needs to hydrate, repair and replenish.

Listen to Your Body

No pain, no gain, right? This may be some of the worst advice ever given, especially for those embarking on a new exercise routine. While it is common to have sore muscles when you are starting a new fitness program, pain during your workout should not be ignored. If you get a cramp or a sharp pain in a joint, stop and give your body a rest. Pushing through the pain may work for professional athletes that have a team of sports doctors at their disposal, but it is not recommended for amateurs. Listen to your body and rest it when needed to avoid serious injuries.

At Arcadia Wellness Center, we can help you on your journey to better health and fitness. We offer IV drip therapy to hydrate and nourish your body and we can perform nutrient or hormone balance testing to gauge your overall health. If you do injure yourself, we also offer pain management treatment, including joint injection therapy, to reduce pain and help your body heal. Call us today to schedule your appointment.