Smarmore Castle Olympics Update

Congratulations to everyone who has taken up our Olympic Challenge. We are approaching the mid-point and everyone seems to be showing lots of commitment and dedication to achieving their goals. For anyone who is losing faith and finding it hard, please think of the end result and regain your focus. You are worth the time and effort.

As with all sporting events nowadays there will be random drug testing during the final stages of the event, so let’s keep it clean and don’t bring our first Olympics into disgrace.

All member of the club’s fitness team are very excited about the efforts so far and will be on hand over the final weeks to help you keep up the good work. By now you should have more energy, feel fitter and look great but imagine if this all came to a crashing halt because of an unnecessary injury. Here are five simple steps to reduce the risks of an injury when exercising so take a minute to read on to ensure you can keep up all the good work.

1. Warm up properly. Always start by doing an easier version of whatever exercise or movement you are about to do. For example if you are going for a run start by walking for a few minutes, then jogging, then build up to running.
2. Progress at a reasonable rate. All changes in your exercise programme should be made gradually and sensibly.
3. Monitor fatigue. Many injuries occur when an athlete is simply too tired. Listen to your body and take a break to allow yourself recover. Never work through pain.
4. Practise proper technique. Make sure you pay a careful attention to your movements and ensure your technique is correct. Ask any of the fitness team to demonstrate a move or explain how it should be performed.
5. Stretch. Stretching at the end of a work out is as important as the workout itself so take the time at the end of every session to add a series of stretches into your routine.

I hope these tips will help keep you injury free and allow you enjoy many more work outs.