Best Ways to Exercise With a Minor Injury

Sometimes you get a little over zealous during a workout and next thing you know, you’re sidelined with an injury. But have no fear. Once you’ve visited your doctor figure out the limitations that your injury will put on your regular workout routine. With the help of your doctor and some common sense, you can keep your workout going strong.

1. Beware of the injured party.

If your injury occurs in your lower body then do exercises that are mostly focused on your upper body, and vice versa. However, using water aerobics would be a good alternative if you still want to get a good total body workout. The weightlessness the water gives your body is ideal for avoiding further injury.

2. If it Hurts, Don't Do it

Ok, here’s where the common sense part comes into play. While this may sound like a simple concept, people push their bodies too far when working out. This should be avoided at all costs when you are exercising with an injury. Work up a good sweat but not at the expense of your physical well being

3. Doctor’s Orders

If you're determined to exercise, ask your doctor for a list of activities you can do to stay active without injuring yourself further. He or she may be able to recommend a physical therapist to help you determine what exercises you can do to both heal your injury and strengthen the rest of your body.

4. PREvent

Obviously, prevention is the best choice when it comes to injuries. Once you experience the pain of an injury, you might want to educate yourself on ways to avoid them in the future. One simple way is to avoid over doing. We all have limits and understanding that and listening when your body tells you you’ve reached yours will keep your from hurting yourself.