Advice for Weekend Warriors

Avoid Injuries

It’s important to be physically active, and avoid injuries at the same time. This is especially important for a ‘weekend warrior’. If you are sedentary, it’s extremely important to plan ahead in order to avoid exercise-related injuries.

Common injuries include joint inflammation, muscle tears, and ligament sprains. Most injuries can be treated with physical therapy after the acute symptoms have subsided.

Weekend Warriors – Do’s and Dont’s

It’s important for weekend warriors to be realistic. For starters, don’t expect your body to adapt right away to intense activities. If you have been inactive all week long, your body will not be prepared for physical challenges over the weekend. Make sure you have protective gear, and stay hydrated.

Warm up and Cool Down

• A warm up is a simple, yet neglected way to avoid injuries. Eight to ten minutes of walking or light jogging, combined with some light stretching is a great way to prepare your body for progressive exercise intensity and minimize injuries.
• When you’re finished with your activity, do not come to a sudden stop. Give your muscles a chance to recover by reducing your intensity, but keep moving. A cool down period helps restore blood circulation and reduce injuries.

Plan Ahead

• Being realistic and planning ahead for a weekend of fun can be your best bet. For best results, get some regular exercise each day and your body will slowly build up so it can handle those weekends of a more active lifestyle.