Almost everyone will agree with me that physical activity (which includes exercising) is beneficial to us. The downside of this “wonder pill” is that many of us harm ourselves either because we are overzealous or we get the wrong advice.
Some of the commonly encountered exercise challenges are;
• Increasing the intensity and/or duration of our exercise programme faster than our fitness level can cope with
• Selecting exercise programmes without considering medical conditions that we may have e.g. an asthmatic exercising vigorously in a closed environment with many sweaty people.
• Performing exercises that are contraindicated (should avoid) for us e.g. head circles or head-rolling exercises.
In the future we will discuss some contraindicated exercises that still find their way into many exercise programmes. Many of these contraindicated exercises may not harm you instantly but have a cumulative effect. If you persist in performing them, you will eventually pay for it. Even the right exercise done in the wrong way over a long period may be harmful.
Dear reader before you perform any exercise ALWAYS ask yourself these questions:
1. What benefit do I get from this exercise?
If you cannot find any, then it may not be worth your while
2. Are there any risks to this exercise?
It may not always be obvious but whenever in doubt seek professional help
3. How do I feel during and after this exercise?
If you feel dizzy, nauseous, experience headaches, have any form of moderate to severe pain etc during or after an exercise; STOP and seek help. ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
4. Can I shorten my workout time by combining certain exercises?
Many of us can barely spare fifteen (15) minutes a day exercising and it may be worthwhile adopting exercises that workout several muscle groups at a time
5. Can I receive the same benefits doing a safer exercise?
A number of us fantasize over a six-pack (great looking abdominal muscles) but very few ever get there (read “the truth will set your abdominal fat free”). You often find elderly people, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure etc, performing ridiculous exercises to firm their abdominal muscles. Find out what is appropriate for you.
The bottom-line is to maintain or improve yourself with exercising. Don’t get over ambitious and worsen your current state.
Yes! A lack of adequate physical activity will make you worse off overtime but the RIGHT exercises performed the RIGHT way will reward you.
The next time you exercise, STOP! THINK! MAKE SURE ITS SAFE.
Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Moms Health Club
www.healthclubsgh.com
Reference:
• Fitness Therapy by Dr Karl Knopf, EdD
• Thoughts of Dr Kojo Essel