With warmer weather finally here, more people are going outside and getting active. But weekend warriors -- people who engage in physical activity during their spare time -- may be at a greater risk for obtaining injuries.
Because weekend warriors don't get a consistent amount of physical activity all year long and tend to jump right into activities, they can be more susceptible to getting injured. So if you're a weekend warrior, don't worry -- you can still get outside and get active. But to help you avoid injury, we have a few tips to help you be active safely.
1) Always warm up
One of the biggest causes of injury is failing to warm up before exercising. Without a proper warm up, it's much easier to pull muscles and obtain serious injuries. Before doing any sort of physical activity, a warm-up is an absolute must. Light stretching and a brief walk can make a big difference between successfully exercising and ending up in an urgent care clinic for an injury. While it may be tempting to jump right into an activity, take a few minutes to allow your body to prepare.
2) Mix it up
Another easy way to avoid having to seek medical treatment for injuries is to try a variety of activities. This is an easy way to avoid overworking just one part of your body each time you exercise. Overuse injuries are extremely common among weekend warriors and can lead to further problems if left untreated. Engaging in different activities also gives you the opportunity to improve your health in multiple areas, such as cardio and flexibility. So don't stick to just one activity; try something slightly different every now and then.
3) Seek medical treatment when necessary
If you do sustain an injury, don't try to be tough and continue exercising. Working out while injured is only going to make matters worse, so seek medical treatment for injuries as soon as possible. Urgent care centers are a great option for minor injuries, like sprained ankles. And with the Urgent Care Association of America showing about 3 million patients visiting urgent care clinics every week, these centers are well equipped to handle a variety of injuries.
Sometimes, it's not possible to keep up with a regular exercise routine -- and that's okay. But if you're a weekend warrior, make sure to follow these tips to ensure you can keep doing your favorite activities injury-free.
