The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how many people go about their normal routine. Chief among them is how people get their daily workouts in. Before the pandemic, most hardcore fitness enthusiasts hit the gym and worked out with personal trainers who could correct their form on the spot. This helped reduce workout-related injuries and made it easier for people to stay on top of their fitness goals. With gyms closed or at limited capacity, working out with a trainer isn’t always an option. Here’s what you need to do to prevent injuries (and needing physical therapy services) when you exercise at home.

Set up a Mirror

If you’ve been working out for a while, you probably have a good idea of what each exercise is supposed to look like. You know how to spot bad form and posture even without the help of a personal trainer. You just need to be able to see what you’re doing in order to make those corrections. If you can, set up a mirror in your home workout space and watch yourself as you move. This way, you’ll be able to spot problems and quickly make the necessary corrections to reduce your risk of injury. 

Listen to What Your Body Tells You

When you have nothing else to do, it’s easy to throw yourself into your workouts whole-heartedly. While this can be good, it does put you at risk for overdoing it. Instead of pushing yourself to outperform your in-gym record, pay attention to what your body is telling you at all times. If something hurts, back off and take a break. If something feels too hard, don’t push things quickly. Take your time. Remember, fitness isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. Making gains takes time and sometimes, you need to slow down.

Give Yourself Enough Room

One of the biggest causes of injury in home-based workouts comes from working out in rooms that have too much stuff in them. People bang their elbows on coffee tables, knock heavy items off shelves, and trip over toys left on the floor all the time. Before every workout, take the time to clear the area. Remove any hazards as you find them and don’t hesitate to move furniture to give yourself room to move around. 

Change Your Routine

Once you find a workout that you’re able to do in your home comfortably, it’s tempting to stick to it indefinitely. That doesn’t mean it’s in your best interest. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to end up giving yourself a repetitive use injury. Those types of injuries take time and physical therapy to heal completely. Instead, change things up. Do different exercises every few days and give your muscles a break.

Use These Tips in Your Workouts

The pandemic doesn’t mean you can’t get a good workout in from the comfort of your own home. You just need to be a bit creative about how you do it. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be in good shape. If you end up getting injured or need help overcoming an old injury, don’t hesitate to reach out.