It seems that everyone promotes daily gym workouts as a way to stay healthy. While a combination of cardio and weight training can help you get in shape and reach your fitness goals, you may not be aware of several serious gym hazards that can make exercise more dangerous than beneficial. Of course, the gym can be a great place to work out, as long as you know what to avoid.
First of all, many gym enthusiasts lift weights without making sure they know exactly what they are doing. Therefore, the first danger we will talk about is the injuries that can occur if you are not aware of your positioning and methodology while exercising. You should always warm up before exercising so your muscles are less prone to tears that can keep you out for weeks.
With weights, it’s very important to make sure your body is aligned so you can get the most benefit from your exercise. In fact, without staying in the proper position, you can suffer from strains and damage to your bones, muscles, and joints that can later turn into serious health problems. Therefore, you should always consult a personal trainer before trying a new workout or machine to make sure you’re doing it the right way.
Next, the gym equipment itself can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. While the gym is responsible for maintaining its equipment, it must also be aware of its surroundings. Sometimes a person may carelessly leave a weight or medicine ball on the ground. By taking the time to check your surroundings, you can avoid tripping over this misplaced object. Also, try not to rush when you put the weights on and put them away. This way you can avoid breaking a toe or finger when sliding the weights.
Lastly, the slightly warm and humid environment of the gym is a perfect habitat for some bacteria and fungi. Always wear flip flops or shower shoes in bathrooms. If you have an open wound, make sure it is covered and disinfected so it doesn’t spread or trap any germs. Many gyms offer disinfectant spray for weight machines; you may want to wipe them down with the spray and your own towel before use. Otherwise, if you have an open sore on your skin, you can develop staph infections, which can be fatal. Also, you can start to develop fungus like athlete’s foot or ringworm if you come into contact with dirty equipment.
While you can be as safe and hazard-aware as possible while in the gym, you can’t always prevent illness and injury in the gym. If your gym has been improperly maintained, causing you to suffer, you should visit the website of the experienced personal injury and premises liability attorneys at Habush Habush & Rottier, SC, today.