Developing an Exercise Routine After Injury

Injury can happen to anyone at anytime. If you are an active person, who exercises regularly, there is a temptation to jump back into your pre-injury workout routine to soon. This may do more harm than good. Anyone who has suffered an injury, regardless of the injury type, should consult their physician before restarting their exercise routine. You should never rush back into your regular pre-injury exercise routine without seeking advice from your physician. The physician will create an exercise plan designed to ease you back into an exercise routine while your body is healing.

You will be testing the injured area as you work your way up to your previous fitness level. Always pay attention to the signals that your body is sending to you. Pain or discomfort is a way for your body to indicate to you that you are doing too much and that you should slow down. Use pain and swelling to guide you on how quickly you can increase the time and intensity of your workout.

To help you implement your physician’s plan and to reduce some of the discomfort that comes from exercising after an injury, it is best to workout with a personal trainer, specifically a trainer who takes the holistic approach in exercise and understands both the physical and health aspects of an exercise. With guidance from a personal trainer, you will reduce the risk of repeatedly injuring yourself. A personal trainer will help you do the following:

1. Help choose activities that are best suited to your abilities and fitness level as prescribed by your physician;
2. Help you understand the requirements of the chosen activity, such as how to us the equipment appropriately;
3. Help you learn, practice and use the correct skills and techniques; and
4. Help you develop a variety of exercises to prevent overuse injuries.

Most importantly take it slow and consult your physician before going back to your old exercise routine. Although it is very frustrating, working slowly back into an exercise routine after injury is much better in the long run.