When it comes to fitness safety, the experts aren’t joking around when they say “Listen to your body. You can seriously harm yourself if you do not adhere to a few guidelines that will help to keep you safe and sound.

First of all, remember that fitness has nothing to do with size. A tiny woman can pick up a three hundred pound barbell, depending on how strong she is. Size is nothing, but size. That aside, let’s move forward.

Secondly, one thing that you want to watch out for is the weights. It doesn’t matter if you’re lifting five pounds weights in your garage, you need a spotter. Spotters are there to help you. If you accidentally drop something on yourself, they’re there to help you so that you don’t get hurt worse. If you’re struggling, they help you. Spotters may be a little bit more experienced than you, but they don’t need to be.

Third, listen to your body. Feeling the burn and hurting yourself are two completely different things. “The burn” is like an intense tingling. And yes, it starts to hurt a little bit. But it’s a bearable kind of hurt. If it gets too strong, you need to stop and exercise another part of your body to let that part settle down a little bit. Come back to it later or perhaps during the next exercise period. Also, never, ever, ever pick up a weight that is way too heavy! This can not only hurt your muscles, but if it falls on you, chances are (unless you remembered to have a spotter) you won’t be able to pick it up.

Be careful with other fitness materials, including weight balls and resistance bands. Do not use a resistance band knowing that you can’t handle that much resistance. If you do, you very well might pull something in either your arm or leg.  Then you will be set back even farther in the perusal of your fitness goals

Fourth, stay hydrated. You don’t need Gatorade for this. All that you need is two, three, perhaps four if you get thirsty often, water bottles. If you run short, you can always take a quick break and go refill them in the bathroom or water fountain. Becoming more physically fit and reaching your fitness goals requires staying hydrated.