A lot of people are back outside after spending months inside for the winter. But no matter what type of exercise you engage in in the near future, injury prevention should always be at the forefront of your thoughts. You don’t want to spend another few months stuck inside just because you didn’t take the time to protect your body from harm.
A number of outlets have come out with articles geared toward helping people ease into the rigors of spring exercise, and one of the most recent of such articles hails from Consumer Reports. In it, the author describes some of the most common spring activities and outlines the easiest ways to protect one’s body from harm when going through the motions. Keep this advice in mind as you take on your spring exercise regimen.
One of the most common activities is one that simply isn’t possible for a lot of people in the winter: cycling. Even the most avid cycling enthusiast may be hard-pressed to get on the back of a bicycle when the roads and thoroughfares around their house are clogged with snow and runoff. You can head to the gym to ride an indoor bicycle, but many cyclists will say that’s just not the same.
As a result, the first warm days of spring typically see cyclists out in large numbers, and if you plan to be among those persons, then you don’t want to take unnecessary risks. In addition to cycling according to the rules of the road (riding with traffic, using the proper hand signals), you also have to make sure that your bike is capable of transporting you safely. It may have been locked in the garage or a shed for a few months, and in that time, air may have left the tires, heights and distances could’ve shifted slightly, or something else may have taken place that puts your body at risk.
Take the time to make sure that the bike is conducive to safety and isn’t going to topple you from your perch at any time. Also ensure that your body will be in the right position while you ride. Something as seemingly inconsequential as the handle bars being positioned too far away can put strain on your back and cause immense pain over time.
Another basic activity that a lot of people will engage in is running. Although you don’t have something like a bike to take care of, there’s still a means of locomotion that requires your attention: your shoes. You’ll want to make sure whatever shoes you’re wearing can endure the toll that will be placed on them from the run, so protect your feet by taking the time to pick out comfortable footwear.
For more tips, including what to do when playing tennis, follow the link up above.
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