In 2017, a survey revealed findings that in Canada, 33% stated that their New Year’s resolution was revolved around improving their fitness.

It is an amazing resolution to have! There are many ways to improve our fitness and health. You can eat healthier, exercise more, improve your sleeping habits and even strengthen healthy relationships! These are all great things but the number one thing that sticks out when improving healthy is going to the gym!

The gym is an excellent place to build muscle, improve cardio and relieve stress but it is also a place where injuries can occur. There are many machines and many ways to do workouts and one wrong more or a misuse of a machine can cause unnecessary injury!

As you venture into your new resolution of getting healthier and hitting the gym, consider these tips to keep you safe as you work out!

1) Ask for help! If there is a workout that you are unfamiliar with more often than not, there will be people around who may help you. Depending on the gym that you go to, there may be trainers and employees there who will be more than willing to help! 

2) Bring a friend! 

Bringing a friend to the gym not only makes it fun and bearable at times, but a friend can help spot you and assist you as you begin to lift heavier. Also, just like the last tipm your friend may have some experience and some tips to share.

3) Practice proper technique/mechanics!

This can also tie in with the first 2 tips as it is important to have feedback when practicing certain lifts such as the bench press, squat, deadlift to name a few. Always remember that form is way more important than how heavy the lift is. It is important that you stay aware of your form and body mechanics when going through workouts! Once again, feedback and help from others is important!

Body mechanics also helps when returning weights or moving equipment around. It is good gym etiquette to always return your weights and equipment so that the space is tidy and that the risk of injury is reduced. However, more often than not, we tend to move things around with bad body mechanics. We forget that we are still lifting things in the process and may injure ourselves when putting back weights or moving benches.

4) Have proper gym gear!

The right shoes and right clothes will definitely keep you safe in the gym. You wouldn’t wear high heels or steel toed boots to the gym right? Good shoes with support will help you maintain balance and even strength as you complete your workouts. Clothes that are not restricting/loose will help as well with lifts and reduce the risk of injury.

5) Stay hydrated!

If there is one tip that you do not forget, it is this. It is important to stay hydrated as you workout to reduce the risk of injury! Water helps fuel our bodies when working out and help remove the toxins in the process. Less water will make you feel tired and less energized to finish your workouts. No matter what you do, do NOT forget to hydrate!