With the pandemic affecting people of all ages, it has become inadvisable to exercise outside. Walking was the safest exercise with little to no risk of injury. But with most people restricted indoors, there is renewed interest in working out at home these days. Here are a few tips for working out safely at home that will reduce your risk of injury and help you stay on top of your exercise routine.

1. Warm-up before exercising
Before you start any exercise, even if it is something as simple as walking, it is always better to start with warm-up exercises to get your body prepared for physical exertion. Moreover, warm muscles have a lower risk of getting injured. You should also cool down properly with stretching exercises to rest your muscles.

2. Start slow
If you have been inactive for a while and are planning to get started on your exercise routine, then start slow and gradually build your way up to do longer and more vigorous exercises.

3. Mix up your exercises
Training too hard for too long is the recipe for injuries. It may also lead to wear-and-tear of certain body parts if you do the same exercise too frequently. Therefore, you need to take a break and try different exercises every day to target different muscle groups. This will prevent wear-and-tear due to over-exercising and reduce the risk of injury. You can do low-impact exercises, such as yoga on some days, and other days you can try high-intensive exercises or cardio at home.

4. Listen to your body
Working out at home does not mean you will not feel tired. If you feel unwell or fatigued after a day of exercising indoors, do not force yourself to get back on the mat. Instead, allow your body to heal and let the pain subside before you start again. If you take a longer break, start slow when you resume exercising.

5. Stay hydrated
Hydration is important to keep your body running smoothly, especially after a workout. Drinking plenty of fluids will not only rehydrate you but also supplement your body with essential electrolytes. Keep a bottle of water by your side when you are working out indoors. Take small sips to hydrate yourself once you are done with your exercise.

6. Choose the right workout wear
Wearing appropriate clothing and shoes while working out is not a fashion statement. They are designed for a purpose, and that is to minimize injury. Working out inside does not mean you can ignore the importance of comfortable clothing and shoes.

Keep all these tips for working out safely at home in mind before you start exercising indoors. It will help you minimize the risk of injury.