3 Simple Strategies for Avoiding Injury and Performing at your Best - Bill Porter

Injury can be a frustrating setback in our athletic or health-related pursuits. Just when we feel we are making considerable progress, that ache, niggle or pain pops up and stops us in our tracks. Pain or injury can bring uncertainty around our training;

‘Should I continue pushing it?’

‘Am I going to make this issue worse?’

‘How long is this going to hold me back for?’

I want to share 3 simple strategies to help you avoid pain and injury to keep performing at your best and engaging with the things you love to do

Number 1: Start slow!

Too often, people rip the band aid off on their athletic pursuits too early. This might look like jumping straight into a 5km after not running for a long time, jumping straight into a high intensity weightlifting or powerlifting program after a tactical gym hiatus, or jumping on that Hyrox team with close to 0 preparation. This is an imbalance between goals / expectations and physical preparedness, which leads us into number 2.

Number 2: Be progressive!

Something I learnt when I was working in kitchens, is that you can always add more seasoning, but it’s really hard to take it away. This is true in training. Its always a wise idea to start out a little easier than you think you need to, and give yourself more room to improve and progress. If we use running as an example, this might look like spending 1-3 weeks around 1km, then progressing to 2km, 3km, 4km and finally striding out to that 5km run. This is a much more sensible way to augment your physical preparedness, rather than ripping straight into those 5kms!

Number 3: Tackle it early

Early assessment with an allied health professional (Physio / Exercise Physiologist) is your best bet in preventing an ache, pain or niggle from becoming more serious and holding you back. At RealFITT and Catalyst Sports Clinic, our allied health professionals will undertake a thorough assessment and prescribe / modify exercise to help keep you in tip top shape, not only performing at your best, but enjoying the process!

Click here for more information on our Exercise Physiology service

Click here for more information on our Physiotherapy service offerings through our partner business Catalyst Sports Clinic