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Gym Safety Rules

While going to the gym on a regular basis can be good for your physical and mental health, it could also be hazardous to your health if some safety precautions are not taken. Lifting weights improperly can cause injury, and it's easy to fall over dumbbells or slip on a wet spot if you're not careful. In addition to following the rules of your gym, following some common-sense rules can also make your trip to the gym safer.

  1. Watch Your Weights

    • Set the weights down gently on the floor to avoid harming the equipment as well as yourself. If you're lifting heavy weights while performing exercises such as a bench press, be sure to have someone act as a spotter to avoid having the weights fall on you. When you're finished, return all plates, bars and dumbbells to their proper racks so that others don't trip and fall on them.

    Mop Up Sweat

    • Mopping up your perspiration is not only sanitary and an act of common courtesy, it also promotes safety. A puddle of sweat on the floor could easily result in a slip-and-fall injury. Most gyms provide cleaning products and towels to wipe down machines after use. You should also lay put down a towel before you lie on a machine to minimize the residual perspiration.

    Learn Proper Techniques

    • Learn proper lifting techniques to avoid possible injury. If you're going to the gym for the first time, have a personal trainer take you on a tour to show you how to use the equipment properly. When starting out, it's better to lift weights that are a little too light as opposed to too heavy to keep from overdoing it. You should be able to lift the weights using a smooth motion without jerking.

    Drink Water

    • It can be easy to become dehydrated while at the gym, especially when performing aerobic exercise. Bring a water bottle with you and have it nearby while you're working out. If you prefer, many gyms offer bottled water or sports drinks for sale.

    Warm Up and Cool Down

    • Warm up before you begin your workout. Some light stretching will make your muscles limber and more flexible, which will help prevent injury. If you're performing aerobic exercise, start slowly and build up your speed. Take the time to cool down at the end of your workout by performing more light stretching.

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