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There is always a risk of injury when exercising, which is why it is important to maintain good form and listen to your body. If you like to work out at the gym, your risk of injury is likely to be much higher. When you engage in high-intensity exercises using weights or machines, you put your body under a lot of stress and you can easily end up hurting yourself. Sometimes, these injuries are down to overexertion but they can also be caused by poor form or even negligence on the part of the gym owner.

Knowing what the dangers are can help you avoid injuries and get more out of your workouts. These are some of the most common gym injuries and how you can avoid them.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are a common runner’s injury, but they can affect anybody that does high-impact exercise involving running and jumping. They are caused by the impact of your foot landing on the ground, which can cause the muscle and tendon to become inflamed. Shin splints are very painful and can take a long time to heal, so it is important to take steps to prevent them from happening in the first place.

If you are running on a treadmill, it’s easy to go into autopilot and stop paying attention to the way that you run and the level of impact. Extended periods of running on a treadmill with heavy feet will soon lead to shin splints.

The best way to avoid shin splints is to wear proper shoes. Make sure that they have good cushioning and support and are not too old. You should also do some warm-up exercises before you start your workout to loosen up the muscles and always stretch afterward. If you are starting a new exercise program, build up your intensity gradually so that your body has time to adjust. Pay attention to the way that you run too, and if you are very heavy-footed, try to adjust the way that you land.

Knee Injuries

There are all kinds of ways that people get knee injuries in the gym. You can easily tear a ligament or get a meniscus tear if you don’t take care when exercising. You might also end up with runner’s knee, which is caused by overuse of the knee joint. You can also get knee injuries when lifting weights and doing leg exercises.

The best way to avoid knee injuries is to use proper form when exercising. Make sure that you don’t lock your knees when you are doing squats or lunges and always use a weight that you can manage without putting too much stress on your knees. When lifting weights, make sure that the weight is close to your body and that you don’t lift with your back.

If you are experiencing pain in your knees, stop exercising and see a doctor. Knee injuries can often be treated effectively with rest, ice, and physical therapy, but they can also require surgery.

Trips and Falls

This is one that people usually overlook but it can be a big problem. Trips and falls are a common source of injuries in the gym, especially when you are working with weights. You might also trip on a machine that is not properly secured or on a loose mat.

The best way to avoid trips and falls is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make sure that the machines are properly secured and that there are no obstructions on the floor. If you are lifting weights, make sure that you have plenty of space around you and don’t overload yourself.

If you do fall, consider whether it was your fault or whether it was because the area was dangerous. It’s up to the gym owner to make the space safe and manage the risks. If they haven’t done that and you are injured as a result, you should make a claim against them. Their insurance company will fight you so you should get in touch with insurance claim attorneys and get some advice. By making a claim, you can ensure that the gym is safe for others in the future and you will also get financial help to cover the cost of your recovery.

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Wrist Strain

Wrist strain when lifting weights is incredibly common. People always focus on the muscles that they are working on, but they don’t pay attention to the strain that is put on their wrists. However, the muscles and tendons in your wrists are always active when lifting weights, regardless of which other muscle groups you are isolating.

The best way to avoid wrist strain is to use the right form when exercising. If you are lifting weights, make sure that your wrists are straight rather than bent and keep your hand close to your body. Use an appropriate weight for your level of fitness and always rest between sets. Don’t try to lift too much or move too quickly because this can cause injury. If you struggle with wrist strain, try doing some simple wrist-strengthening exercises between workouts.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

A rotator cuff injury usually happens when you do exercises that involve lifting weights above your head. The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons in your shoulder, and it’s important to rest those muscles whenever you work out overhead.

One cause of rotator cuff injuries is poor technique. If you don’t use proper form when doing presses you can put yourself at risk of injury. But the most common reason is that people overexert themselves and try to lift weights that are too heavy for them. Weight training takes time and it’s important to build it up slowly, focusing on form first before increasing the weight.

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Back Strain

Back strain is a risk with lots of different forms of exercise. People who are new to weight training tend to rush through their workouts because they think that they should be able to lift heavy weights. However, the back is easily injured if you don’t use good form and put too much stress on it.

If you go too fast or lift too heavy, you will pull your back muscles. This can cause pain and reduce your range of motion, which puts you at an increased risk of other injuries. Lifting with your back instead of your legs will also do a lot of damage, so make sure that you get the technique right. If you are new to weightlifting, it may be a good idea to get help from a personal trainer.

If you are starting a new workout routine and hitting the gym for the first time, speak to your doctor regarding what types of exercise would work for you physically to help avoid injuries as much as possible. It’s important that you are always careful to avoid making common mistakes.

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