People who are into fitness do their exercise routines religiously. Why not, it has many physical and mental health benefits. Not only does it make you feel good, but obviously can make you look good. They are a rare breed though, only about 23% of the US population works out or at least gets the recommended exercise.
According to CDC, in order to be physically healthy an adult is required to have at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise. But people who like to be buff or ripped do more than just simple jogging, and cardio. Gym buffs spend hours and hours in a fitness center, multiple days in a week. Some even do it every day, especially when summer is near the horizon.
But what goes hand in hand with working out, is the phrase “no pain, no gain”. It is pretty true, but if you try to exceed and reach your limit you are in for some risk. Instead of hitting the beach, you could be visiting the emergency room. Just like any endeavor in life, there are risks of working out. Let;s take a look at a few hidden dangers.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that is directly caused by muscle breakdown which can severely damage your kidneys. When muscle cells start to break down, they release contents that can be toxic to your kidneys like myoglobin. Too much of these toxic chemicals can lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Rhabdomyolsis starts to develop when you push yourself to exhaustion in combination with dehydration, leading your muscle cells to death. Marathon runners and heavy weightlifters are most prone to this kind of condition.
Fitness Center Staff
They are hired to safeguard their gym members, but are they professionally qualified? Do they have certificates? According to Sherri McMillan, spokesperson of IDEA Health and Fitness Association, there is a risk of a personal fitness trainer claiming to be highly qualified when in fact they do not have basic safety knowledge or training.
Be sure to look for safety equipment and certificates of training that has been completed. Any personal injury either caused by falls or faulty gym equipment is a responsibility covered by the management, so they should use and implement precautions.
Plantar Warts
After all the sweating, it is time for you to clean up and hit the shower room. But be wary as you enter the tiled area, HPV or human papilloma virus may be lurking somewhere. HPV is a virus that can cause plantar warts, a common viral infection that develops on the soles of your feet.
Wet areas and surfaces like swimming pools and showers are the common place of this virus. Make sure you wear slippers or keep your feet thoroughly dry after showering.
Painful Sprains and Strains
Too much pressure, improper technique, and forgetting to do proper stretching can cause you to suffer from sprains and strains. Working out too much and too can eventually wear off your joints, bones, and muscle, because you did not give them enough time to recover and be stronger.
Make sure you properly schedule your workouts and schedule rest days as well. Practice proper technique on every kind of exercise and never forget to do warm ups to prevent shock to your system.