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Avoiding the injuries while staying fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jack Sanders
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  Flipping through the channels on TV one night, the newest popular workout routine comes guaranteeing people they can lose weight in a certain amount of weeks, but without the proper knowledge and expertise, jumping right into a fad workout is an easy way to get injured.

Trends in weight loss and exercise regimes pop up from time to time and service members may feel pressured to try them but must ensure they are not doing so at their own risk.

Any workout program has risk. Fad programs fall into the same categories as ordinary workouts, and can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren't met.

"Have a basic knowledge of the program and what it entails," said Kelley Welchert, 99th Aerospace Medical Squadron, Health and Wellness Center health and fitness specialist. "Do the fundamental things that you should be doing. If you don't have a strong strength background, then start off small."

The HAWC team said there are alternatives to fad classes for Airmen. The HAWC offers alternative courses for Department of Defense ID card holders that range from, but aren't limited to, fitness conditioning to nutrition 101.

The HAWC team said they are even willing to go through workouts with people to make recommendations when exercises can be progressed or regressed.

"Each person is different and has to do things on their own level," Welchert said. "There are ways to progress and exercise, to make it harder for some people, or make it a little easier for beginners or less advanced."

Working at the proper level is important, but the HAWC team stresses that the need for rest is even more important.

Rest is imperative, and if you continue to push the body's limits on a daily basis, you won't see results and put yourself at a higher risk for injury said Welchert.

Getting healthy and staying fit to fight is important for every Airman, but they should always strive to avoid injuries, Lora Weart, HAWC health and fitness specialist said.