Hurt vs. Harm
As you get back into exercise, or push yourself to new limits, always remember the rule of Hurt vs. Harm. Productive exercises can hurt but destructive exercises cause harm.
Let’s face it, sometimes exercise hurts. It can hurt so much you may feel like you are going to die. But, it actually is beneficial to your body and will increase strength, endurance, and flexibility over time. As you exercise it is important to train yourself to be able to differentiate this feeling from a feeling of harm. Harm is an indicator that tissue damage is impending and that injury may soon follow. Nobody can do this for you, and it comes with experience and regrettably sometimes mistakes.
Two quick ways to help this process during an exercise routine:
- Give yourself permission to stop if you are not sure. Remember that you not your workout partner or your trainer are in charge. Stop if you need to. Assess. Then resume.
- Substitute exercises. If you are not sure if an exercise is good for you, but you want to continue to workout, substitute a new one. There are no absolute exercises that you must perform to get fit. There are always options.
So keep these things in mind as you work out! Please contact me with any questions!