For an athlete, getting injured is one of the worst things that can happen. Depending on the type of injury you may be out of competition for a long time. Instead of lying on the couch throwing paper balls into a bin, speak to us about other forms of exercise you can do that will not aggravate your injury and at the same time help you stay fit.
There are many types of low-impact exercises you can do while you are recovering. We may advise on some or all of the following:
Swimming
This is one of the best forms of exercise for injured athletes. The buoyancy of the water supports your weight so there is little force on your muscles or joints. Swimming recruits all the major muscles of the body – arms, abs and legs for a good, stress-free workout.
Cycling
Whether you use a moving bike or a stationary one, cycling is a great form of cardio exercise which helps to burn fat, tone muscle and build endurance. If you have had knee surgery, cycling can lubricate the knee and improve flexibility and range-of-motion. We will tell you how long you should stay on the bike and how much resistance is safe for your fitness level.
Rowing
The rowing machine in the gym is a good form of upper-body workout for the athlete who sustained a leg injury. Rowing in a boat is also good and gives the bonus of being outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. If your upper body is injured, this low-impact activity will not cause more trouble, however, to be safe, consult with us as to how much and how fast you should perform this exercise.
Stretching
This is a great way to keep the body toned, provide flexibility and increase range-of-motion. However, this should be done under our supervision. We will tell you what stretches to do, how many and at what range. If necessary, we will assist you to perform the stretches until you can do them safely on your own.
Exercises using your body weight (such as sit-ups, push-ups and chin-ups) can also help you get some sweat and maintain fitness, just as long as you follow our advice. Becoming injured does not mean that you are bound to the couch to lose all the fitness you have achieved.
Come in and see us; we will put you on a safe yet effective program.