The lead emergency room clinical pharmacist for Sharp HealthCare, Dr. Ashkan Khabazian spends a portion of his free time working out. Dr. Ashkan Khabazian has been lifting weights his entire life.
Weight lifting boosts muscle mass, promotes weight loss, and increases metabolism. A few suggestions for preventing weight lifting injuries include:
- Don’t compare. Many weight lifters compare their weights to others while at the gym. While this can serve as motivation, it may also result in individuals pushing themselves too much. Instead of trying to out-lift another person, individuals should increase their weight amount gradually. Trying to rapidly move to heavier weights dramatically increases the risk of injury.
- Check your equipment. Weight lifting equipment is a common culprit when an injury occurs. However, it still goes unchecked by many weight lifters. Before starting a set, individuals should carefully check all the equipment they plan on using. This includes everything from lifting platforms and bars to shoes and clothing items.
- Lift regularly. Packing an entire week’s worth of weight lifting into a couple days places unnecessary strain on the body and frequently results in injury. Serious weight lifting must be a regular activity that is done throughout the week.
