Working out at the gym might seem like a fairly safe concept. After all, there are usually quite a few trainers, staff members, and other gym goers that are around to help you out in case of an injury. Pretty straightforward, right?
Absolutely. But, surprisingly, there can be other dangers that you need to be aware of when frequenting the gym. Let’s talk about three commonly neglected gym practices that are often overlooked.
Stay Hydrated
We all know that staying hydrated is important for optimal physical health. If this is the case, why do some of us forget the water bottle when we hit the elliptical?
Hydration is arguably at its most important health tip to remember as you increase your physical activity. When you exercise, your body sweats to keep your body temperature at a safe level. However, the loss of sweat means you are losing vital hydration.
Keep a water bottle with you at the gym, and be sure to refill it often. Most fitness facilities contain a host of water fountains or coolers as a hydration station.
When staying hydrated at the gym, be sure to focus on sipping water as you need it instead of chugging an entire bottle before a hardcore cardio session. A full stomach isn’t the best way to start or continue your gym session, just as an upset tummy is not ideal for your plyometrics dance class.
Remember, sip to stay hydrated!
Clean Your Machine
It is a long established gym member courtesy that you wipe down the machine you use after you have finished your current session of reps. However, other members might forget this important hygienic courtesy or may simply not care enough about the next user to complete this task.
Even though you may clean your machine after your workout, it’s a good practice to give the machine you are about to use a quick wipedown. As mentioned above, some gym members might not do a thorough job of wiping away said sweaty residue from the machine they have used.
Wipe down your workout machines to avoid contact with Staphylococcus, E. coli, Klebsiella, fungi and yeast, and even urine or fecal matter. Talk about yuck factor.
Don’t forget to take a few seconds to clean your machine before getting into a groove.
Keep A Workout Journal
What was it you lifted last week? Do you remember how much you bench pressed? How about how long or how far your treadmill session lasted?
Keeping a workout journal is an important part of fitness safety. The journal will help you to keep track of your workouts. While this might sound simple or unnecessary, it can actually help to prevent injuries or over exertion. It can also keep you on the right track to maintaining a healthy routine in your gym-going activities.
In order to prevent injuries and overworking your body, be sure to keep track of your workouts in a journal. Keep a log of the exercises you have done, how many reps and sets of the specific exercises, and how you felt after completing your workout.
Another good practice is to keep a record of your nutrition before and after the gym. Keeping track of the food you use to fuel your physical activity allows you to recognize the ideal nutrition for your level of exertion and ability to stay focused and motivated during a workout.
You can find suitable journals at your local bookstore or retail office supply store. Don’t forget to grab a few pens in a variety of colors if you want to try color coding your workouts by strength, cardio, or flexibility.
Be Safe, Not Sorry
Gym safety involves more than just the three tips explored here. Ask your personal trainer or the gym owner to learn about the safety procedures that are practiced in your gym of choice. By putting these three tips into practice, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a workout routine that is safe and rewarding.
