Workout Tips for a Healthy Spine

Proper exercise supports a healthy body. Strong muscles can help keep your spine and joints in proper alignment, give you more energy, and keep you feeling great. However, while working on fitness goals, many people end up with injuries of all sizes. Chiropractors in Livermore see these types of strains every day.

While sometimes accidents happen, there are practices you can employ to keep your body safe while you work on your fitness goals. Below, we’ve covered six tips to keep in mind while you’re keeping up regular exercise habits.

1. DON’T WORK OUT TOO HARD

While you may have temporary fitness goals, exercise is a lifelong habit. It’s best to ramp up your routines slowly over time. Don’t overdo it and work out too hard. This is the number one way to end up with muscle strain.

If you hurt yourself by working out too hard, it won’t encourage you to come back and do it again soon. Be gentle with yourself and your body for better health and to build up long-term habits. Building strength takes time. Give your body a chance to keep up with your ambitious fitness goals.

2. VALUE YOUR WARM-UP

Don’t skip your warm-up! Get your body moving, stretch, and feel the heat build in your muscles. You’ll do better on your more strenuous exercises and your muscles and joints will thank you for it.

3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY USE THE EQUIPMENT

Sometimes, we just want to dive in. It may feel embarrassing to have to ask for help learning how to properly use exercise equipment. We feel like we should already know the proper way to lift the weight or use the machine.

Everyone starts somewhere! And knowing the proper form is always best. With many types of lifts, having your limbs positioned slightly off can lead to a pretty painful injury. Ask a professional for help on your form to build muscles in the healthiest way possible.

4. SWITCH UP YOUR ROUTINE

People who exercise long-term usually have a few different routines mixed into their week. You may hear them say they have three days for cardio, a leg day, and an arm day. Why do they do this?

When you perform the same exercise routine day in and day out, you are likely to miss certain muscle groups. This means you’ll be weaker in some areas and stronger than others. You’ll see better results by mixing things up and lessen the workout plateaus that happen where you stop seeing results.

Doing the exact same workout routine can also put a strain on your muscles from repetitive movements. Varying the types of movements is better for your spinal alignment.

5. STAY HYDRATED

Drink plenty of work before and after your workout. When you’re not properly hydrated, your muscle tissue isn’t in the best shape. This makes it easier for injury to occur.

6. VALUE YOUR COOL DOWN

Just like your warm-up, make sure you value your cool down! Spend some time at the end of your workout stretching and letting your muscles find a healthy place.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR BODY

Fitness is an important part of a health and wellness plan. Make sure to stay mindful of your body and listen to what’s happening. If you’re experiencing back or neck pain while you’re working out, don’t ignore it. If your knees hurt, make sure you take note and adjust how you’re using your body. Strain and injuries build up over time.

If you have any questions, concerns, or pain, know that you can always consult an experienced Livermore chiropractor to get your body back in top shape to help you reach your fitness goals. If you’re new to working out, it’s normal for your body to experience some growing pains. Your chiropractic team at Balanced Livermore Chiropractic can help you naturally work through these for your best long term results.