Leading an active lifestyle and participating in physical activities can be hugely beneficial for loved ones’ physical and mental health. Some benefits include keeping the body in shape, improving strength, preventing or delaying health conditions, and many more. However, as loved ones tend to not be as physically mobile, it’s important to pay attention to safety in order to prevent any injuries from occurring. As such, here are some fitness safety checks to provide a safer and more secure environment for loved ones to work out.
Listen to Your Body
Do remind your loved ones regularly to listen to their bodies. When their bodies are feeling something, such as pain and discomfort, your loved ones should immediately pause all activities and consult a medical personnel. Yes, there’s nothing wrong with doing a challenging routine as that encourages your loved ones to step out of their comfort zones and push their bodies. However, if the fitness routine becomes overwhelming, this is the sign to stop. Overworking the body can result in severe injuries like bones breaking or pulling a muscle.
Wear The Appropriate Safety Gear
Workout gears exist for a reason, and that’s to provide support and safety to the wearer. Some workout gears are catered for a specific physical activity. For example, if your loved ones are planning to cycle, they should wear a properly fitted helmet, gloves, and protective glasses. Clothing plays an important role as well. Throw away any baggy pants or too tight clothes as these can cause your loved ones to pull a muscle during the activity.
Always Warm Up The Body
This is something that many people take for granted, not just older adults. It’s never a good idea to immediately dive into physical activity without warming up the body first. What warming up does to the body is to raise the body temperature and increase blood flow to the muscles, preventing them from getting sore later on. A proper warming up also helps in the cooling process after the activity, allowing your loved ones to recover more effectively.
Follow Instructions
It can be exciting to immediately jump into a new activity. However, it’s important to remember that some activities may pose dangers for your loved ones. Therefore, before starting out a new sport, your loved ones should first consult with their respective doctors or medical professionals. Some doctors may even recommend specific fitness routines that are suitable for your loved ones, which allow them to work out more efficiently and reduce the chances of accidents occurring.
Hydration is Key
Last but not least, your loved ones should always stay hydrated no matter what. When participating in physical activities, our bodies release sweat, increasing the likelihood of us experiencing dehydration. Dehydration can bring about a number of issues, such as headaches, muscle cramps, and weakness. As such, during the entire process of working out, your loved ones should have a water bottle beside them at all times. According to advice from medical personnel, older adults should consume at least a minimum of seven cups of water each day.