When to start exercise after an injury?
One of our clients had a knee injury wanted to know how long it will take to get back to running and exercise. “It’s frustrating.”
When you are suddenly injured, not being able to exercise like you used to and not knowing when it’s safe to exercise again is annoying.
At Be Strong Dubai we understand the frustration and the desire to get back to running and training, but let’s just put the brakes on a minute…
Injuries are no joke. It is very serious.
They are your body’s way of sounding an alarm and telling you something’s not right, so we shouldn’t start back full steam ahead right away.
Instead, we should make an intelligent comeback to exercise, after taking time off due to injury…
It requires a gradual approach.
I know you’re dying to get back to normal and waiting if frustrating, but ask yourself this:
Would you rather make slow, pain-free progress towards building back to a healthy exercise level so you don’t risk another injury? During recovery, it’s important to listen to your body.
It’s all about trust.
Your body will tell you when it’s ready to get back to doing certain things and when you’ve done too much.
Other facts that will have a significant impact on your return to exercise include;
Your age, how long you’ve been suffering from your injury, and what you do to get back to physical activity safely.
With that said, here are 6 steps you can take to get back to exercise safely, after an injury:
1. Take It Slow
It’s easy to want to go back to exactly what you were doing before an injury, but not so fast!
If you go back to running how you did before right away, or you go back to the gym and exert all your energy…
You do run the risk of making yourself weaker which means a higher risk of another injury!
Add to that your body has likely been out of exercise for a couple of weeks, it could be a little weaker.
Take it slow and go back into it gradually.
And if you feel pain – Stop.
2. Begin with Walking
It’s the most natural type of movement for the body, and if you’re injured, a gentle walk is one of the best ways to keep active.
Swimming is also a great form of gentle exercise. See how your body feels and gradually increase your time spent doing it.
3. Remember, Pain is Pain
While some people will live by the motto “no pain, no gain”, when it comes to an injury the motto is actually “pain, no gain”.
Pain is the body’s signal that you’ve gone too far or done too much.
Rest and recovery are just as important as re-introducing exercise so give your body time to recover so you can return to it safely.
4. Work on Your Balance
This might not be something that comes to mind right away…
But doing exercises to improve your balance in turn will improve your posture AND strengthen your core – which is essential to exercise safely.
Without a strong core, you run the risk of injuring yourself quick.
5. Eat Well and Keep Hydrated
Eating well and keeping yourself hydrated are key to recovery.
Food plays a big part in the body’s healing process and helps to make your joints strong again. Stay away from alcohol and junk foods during your recovery time.
Eating whole, natural, foods and drinking plenty of fluid (water!) will help speed up the process.
6. Consider Getting Help from A Hands-On Scientific Fitness Trainer
A hands-on personal trainer can provide you with a step-by-step program tailored specifically to you and your needs, to help you get back to the exercise you enjoyed in the quickest and safest way possible.
A physical trainer will also be able to assess when you’re ready to get back to activity as normal, and will help make sure the injury doesn’t re-occur.
When it comes to your health, fitness and lifestyle, it’s important to listen to expert advice…!!!
That way you can be sure to get back to running and activities much quicker and safer, just like you deserve.
