be safe in the gym

The best way to avoid injury in a gym is by reading, stretching and drinking.  Most injuries occur because a gym-goer is not reading instructions carefully (if at all).  Most gymnasiums include free weights, weightlifting machines, and cardio machines.  Only one area of the three has no instructions.  The free weights area consists of weightlifting for experts.  Usually, free weights are reserved for advanced free movement lifting.  The free weight area requires some level of knowledge in weightlifting techniques.  This knowledge allows for gym patrons to lift at the risk of injury without instruction.  However, the other two areas admit lifting with risk of injury with instruction available.  The instruction available in both the weight and cardio machines helps to prevent injury.  Most of the instructions are easy to read and have pictured diagrams to reference.  Reading the instructions and following the diagrams can eliminate all injuries due to machine misuse.
  Unfortunately, most patrons believe that by looking at a particular machine, using it is self- explanatory.  Injuries occur when a gym participant assumes that any machine is built to reduce injury.  Contrary to belief the cardio and weight machines can harm just as much as a free weight exercise.  The instructions are available so that these machines are used with caution.  When using a machine incorrectly the injuries can be life threatening.  The best way to avoid any injury in the gym is to be well aware of all machines and free weight cautions and read all instructions.  Of course, staying hydrated and stretching are also top ways to avoid injuries.  Having enough liquid in the system can compound most cardio injuries and tense muscles compound weightlifting injuries.  While using cardio machines the muscles use water to fuel an efficient calorie burn.  In the case that water is not abundant the patron can injure any muscle in use (all muscles).  Surprisingly, the injury is not limited to the time of incident but continues to compound.  The longer the body searches for the liquid supply the more injury can occur.  The same goes for weightlifting exercise and injury do to tense muscles.  The lifting exercise can only work as effective as a muscle will stretch and contract.  Without the flexibility to stretch and contract injury will occur and compound.  Stretching is like water for the muscles in weightlifting.  Following these key areas of instruction before using a gym will be important to a successful gym visit.