8 Top Safety Tips for Using Free Weights and Weight Machines

09.04.09

Filed Under: Herbs health

"Safety first" is the mantra that we have heard numerous times throughout our lives. As children, we learn it when we learn the rules in school and how to play sports. During our teenage years, we learn the importance of safety when operating vehicles and complex machines. Then as adults, safety continues to be instrumental within our homes. Safety issues involve children, computers, pets, appliances, bugs, gases, electronics, chemicals, telephones, and everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink.

When performing various types of exercises, such as weightlifting, you should also make safety a priority. As with playing any sport or performing other types of strength or conditioning exercises, it is vital that you use certain precautions to ensure that both you and those around you are safeguarded. By definition, weightlifting involves moving weights—which can be extraordinarily heavy.  Thus, potential and real dangers exist. However, when using home gyms or free weights, you can take certain precautions to help minimize accidents and maximize safety:

1. Set goals to achieve
As with any other activity, setting goals gives you a target at which to shoot. Factors that determine your goals, such as for smith machines, can depend on factors including:

•    You age
•    The exercises you will do
•    Your starting weights 
•    When you will increase weights
•    You purpose for weightlifting
•    The number of repetitions and sets for each exercise

2. Learn from an instructor
One of the most effective ways to remain safe when weightlifting, is to learn how to perform exercises properly.  A local athletic trainer or coach can instruct you about the correct techniques to use when weightlifting. While books can certainly be helpful, an instructor can provide the motivation and personal touch that no book can provide. While people such as friends, relatives, and even fellow weightlifters may offer you weightlifting advice, theirs may not be entirely reliable.

3. Remember to warm-up and cool-down
Warming up and cooling down are important in any exercise program, such as weightlifting. Studies have shown that they significantly reduce the possibility of injuries.
The warm-up process should typically include all of your primary muscle groups, and could include activities such as:

•    Calisthenics
•    Jogging
•    Rowing machine
•    Stretching

These warm-up exercises help to increase your heart rate; warm up your muscle tissues; and increase the flow of blood to your joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. All of these activities will help to prepare you for your weightlifting regimen. Furthermore, performing warm-ups before your workouts (such as with dumbbell sets) can increase your body’s flexibility, strength, and ability to lift heavy weights. Warm-up exercises should generally last about 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, perform 5-10 minutes of stretching exercises that include "dynamic stretches."

Performing a cool-down is also important after your workout. As with the warm-up, this process should last roughly 5-10 minutes. Begin at a speed that is approximately half of your sprinting speed. Then gradually reduce the speed to a relaxed walking speed. Next, perform about 5-10 minutes of "static stretching." This activity is effective in cooling down your general body temperature. When stretching, focus on particular muscle groups that you focused on while weightlifting. Finally, it is highly recommended that you complete your cool-down process with a protein shake—to replenish your body’s level of glycogen. After a rigorous workout, you have earned it!

4. Keep your workout area neat and clean
One of the most common accidents in traditional gyms and home gyms is tripping over weightlifting equipment. Thus, before you before start an exercise, such as when doing a yukon leg press set, it is important to clear the area surrounding you. Furthermore, if you are using a public gym, then it is important to use a disinfectant to wipe down equipment after you use it. That will help to prevent spreading communicable diseases, such as the common cold and the flu.

5. Slowly add weights and repetitions
When starting a weightlifting program, it is natural for us to dream of becoming Mr. or Miss Universe. That is okay! However, remember that this should (and will) not happen overnight. It is important to start with lighter weights and fewer repetitions and sets, before adding additional weights.  

6. Always use a quality spotter
Many of today’s gyms include a spotter to provide assistance while you are weightlifting. You should particularly use one when lifting heavy barbells. However, different people can serve in the role of a spotter.

For instance, a spotter could simply be your workout partner. The benefit of a workout partner is that he or she can not only serve as a spotter and ensure that you are weightlifting correctly and safely, but also as a workout buddy. Each of you can encourage each other to use proper lifting techniques for various exercises (such as those with cap barbell weights), to breathe properly, and to intake enough fluids during the workout. 

However, a personal trainer serves as the best spotter for your weightlifting. Besides functioning as a spotter during your weightlifting, he can also:

•    Verify that you are performing exercises properly
•    Gradually increase your weights and repetitions
•    Ensure that you are not putting undue stress on various body parts (i.e. back)

7. Use correct weightlifting technique
In order to prevent injury (and achieve the best results) when weightlifting, it is important to use the proper technique for different exercises. For instance, lifting a dumbbell improperly could cause your lower back to become strained. Focus on the following elements of your weightlifting, to help prevent sore muscles and injuries:
   
•    Positioning
•    Posture
•    Stability

8. Use weight machines and barbells carefully
When weightlifting, always ensure that you use collars on barbells, and pins on weight machines correctly.

When performing weightlifting exercises with a body solid home gym or free weights, it is important to put "safety first." This will not only keep you and other weightlifters safe, but it will make your exercise sessions more effective. When weightlifting, lift weights safely! 

Tags: cap barbell weights | cap barbell weights | body solid home gym | body solid home gym | yukon leg press | yukon leg press | smith machines | smith machines | dumbbell sets | dumbbell sets

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