The gym is a great place to help you pursue your fitness goals. While it’s true that you can simply exercise anywhere that’s safe, the gym holds unique advantages in the form of specialized equipment, highly-trained coaches, and the sense of belonging to a community of other people who share the same goals as you do.
But, even when the gym is one of the best places to work out, you have to remember that the place is full of machines that are subjected to weights and tension. There are also gym equipment like kettlebells that put a focus on ballistic movements. No matter what kind of workout you’re doing, there will always be an element of danger if you aren’t careful. In fact, just earlier this year, a gym goer died after a 60-kilo barbell fell on his chest.
So, the gym is a dangerous place if you don’t know what you’re doing. These are some of the safety rules that you need to revisit in order to avoid injury or death at the gym.
Focus On Proper Form
As a general rule, if you can’t lift a weight with proper form, you should go for something lighter. The reason for the heavy emphasis on proper form is that you’re not only able to target the muscle groups that you intend to use, but proper form also helps you stay injury-free, especially when you consider that different muscle groups move in different ways. To force your muscles to bend a way they shouldn’t is just asking for an injury.
Bring A Gym Buddy
Sometimes, even when you know how to perform the exercises properly, you need the perspective and opinion of somebody else to help correct any mistakes you could be making. Gym spotters also help you push your limits harder as they will be able to share the weight that you aren’t able to lift on your own. They are particularly important for bench press, squats, and deadlift workouts.
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
This cannot be emphasized enough. Many accidents can be averted with a bit of awareness and foresight. Knowing where other gym goers are and adjusting can save you a lot of pain, especially during peak hours. Don’t go swinging a kettlebell in a crowded area. If you accidentally cause injury to someone else or if they cause harm to you, you might want to seek the help of personal injury lawyers like the ones at Mcquarrie to help you get compensation.
Use A Towel
Besides the obvious hygiene requirements, using a towel ensures that you are also able to avoid health issues. As disgusting as it sounds, gym equipment and weights have been known to be carriers of a plethora of bacteria. After all, a lot of bodily fluids come into contact with them. Something as simple as wiping gym equipment before and after you use it can help prevent the spread of disease. Also consider that it’s a basic courtesy to other gym goers.
The gym is a place where people try to become better versions of themselves. It is a place for improvement and sacrifice. But, it can also be a dangerous place when common sense is overlooked.