Personal trainer tips: How to prevent injury (prehabilitation)

Obtaining an injury is frustrating for anyone who is used to training regularly. Most people don’t realise there are several things you can do in order to prevent an injury; these fall under the term ‘prehabilitation’.

Unfortunately, you can’t always prevent injuries - sometimes it is just inevitable - however, there are some steps you and your personal trainer can take to reduce the risk of incurring them.

Be honest:

This may seem a bit silly but if you are injured, had previous injuries, or have any niggles, tell your personal trainer. PTs cannot read minds or feel what you are feeling, so it is vital that you inform them if you have any issues (whether you think they are important or not). It is always best to have the whole picture and you will also get more out of the exercises you perform.

Functional Screening:

There are certain tests that can be completed which highlight any deficits you may have. In today’s society, our jobs and hobbies can lead to a range of muscle imbalances, including glute tightness, rounded thoracic spine, lower back hyperextension, and many more. You may be able to get away with day-to-day activities, but once you increase your activity levels, these can cause issues. However, this is not an excuse not to exercise! Once these deficits are apparent, a basic strengthening programme can be put together and exercises can be modified in order to combat the issues and make sure you stay safe whilst exercising.

Educate yourself:

This doesn’t mean we want you to go home and read endless amounts of studies on training, it means if you don’t understand something: just ask. A common statement from personal trainers is ‘engage your core’; if you don’t understand what this means or how to do it, just ask. It could save you from a nasty low back injury. If you want more information or have any questions, always ask!

Be aware of your body:

We can’t tell you when or if you are going to get injured, so make sure to be aware of aches and pains, get used to what is normal for you, and if anything doesn’t feel right, inform your personal trainer. Also, don’t be scared to say during a session if you are feeling anything out of the ordinary, it’s always best to prevent and injury than recover from one.

We hope this has been helpful, but if you need any further information on nutrition, you can get in touch with our expert personal trainers in Bristol by calling 0117 403 7600, or email info@efitbristol.co.uk

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