Here’s how to avoid workout injuries:

We can’t say it too many ties in too many ways: Always warm up before exercising and cool down after! Warm up exercises are designed to elevate your muscle temperature slightly and prepare your body for the workout. Muscles are like furnaces. They produce heat and this makes them more pliable, like putty, and in that state your body is adequately prepared for exercising. Afterwords, cooldown exercises focus on stretching for flexibility, joint health and muscle protection.

Never jerk or pull a weight abruptly as this can lead to torn ligaments and joint trauma.

Don’t be overenthusiastic and lift weights that are clearly too heavy for you.

Listen to your body signals that you may be doing too much or exercising incorrectly. If something doesn’t feel right, stop immediately. Signs that you are overtaxing your body include muscle and joint pain, swelling and fatigue. Additionally, women may even stop menstruating.