Exercising is essential for good health and a long life. But when it’s done wrong, it can inevitably lead to injury and downtime. It’s vital to take steps to ensure that you have properly prepared your body for physical activity and training.
1. Wear the right clothing
If you’re running, be sure that the shoes you’ve selected are proper running shoes. Your shoes longevity depends upon the amount you run. Typically, running shoes should be swapped out after 500 miles. If the weather is very cold, make sure you layer your clothing and wear protective gear such as a hat and gloves. If the weather is too hot, be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
2. Don’t overdo it
Over exercising is not going to lead you to achieving quicker gains. On the contrary, over exercising can cause your body to feel fatigued and stressed out. Your body needs a break! Listen to your body before you start exercising. If you’re tired, then go at an appropriate pace. If you can’t lift a weight without controlling it for the entirety of the workout, you should pick an appropriate one to match your strength levels.
3. Eat a balanced diet
Your diet creates the foundation for your overall health and fitness. You should be getting an adequate number of calories for your body structure and activity levels. You should consume healthy protein, fats, and carbohydrates on a regular basis.
4. Warm up before physical activity
Most fitness professionals recommend between 10 to 15 minutes of warmup time. Your warmup can range from jump roping, dancing, jogging, walking, or biking. You shouldn’t be trying to work up a deep sweat while you’re warming up, it should be more of a light sweat. After you warm up, you should follow up with deep stretches that target different areas of your body.
