Fitness Safety Published July 30, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Tracy 57th Wing Safety NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Have you been one of the many thinking about hitting the gym lately? It is never too late to get in shape, but working out is more than just selecting a routine. Before starting on that fit and firm beach body, remember the important safety issues surrounding exercise and gym safety. First, you have to make sure your body is ready. This entails hydration, eating habits, and overall health. In order to have a successful and safe workout, your body must be able to fuel itself, maintain a level of exercise, and recover afterwards. If you haven't had a recent medical checkup, it is recommended you do before starting any type of new physical activity. This is especially important when it comes to the Las Vegas area, because as we all know, heat can kill. Also, have the right protective gear and attire, as wearing the wrong thing can lead to an injury. Once you're ready and at the gym, track, or where ever you plan on exercising, you must stretch and warm up your body. Stretching raises your heart rate, loosens up tendons and encourages more blood flow to your muscles. Integrating stretching and warm up routines in your work out reduces your chance of a pulled muscle or worse, and that gets you nowhere but back home lying on the couch. With all that preparation you might be ready to exercise. So whether you decide to go to a gym and lift weights, hop on an elliptical machine, or run on a track, the same general safety protocols apply. These include running on approved surfaces, using safe and properly maintained machines, re-racking any weights once finished, and following all gym safety rules and hygiene. While doing any exercise, be sure to use proper technique, amount of weight, and form to reduce the chance of injury. If you decide to lift weights or attempt a new exercise, consider bringing a spotter to ensure each other's safety and provide motivation or technique tips. Remember that while exercising, you should maintain an elevated breathing pattern so you don't starve your body of oxygen and lose consciousness. Finally, be aware of your own exertion point, as over-exerting your muscles and joints can lead to bruising and spraining among a lot more serious injuries. Immediately following a work out, always partake in a proper, lengthy cool-down so your body can lower the heart rate and begin the recovery process.
