A new study has suggested that gym goers are injuring themselves by pushing too hard over peer pressure to be fitter.
A poll of 2,000 Brits has found that adults hit the gym to keep up with friends but in doing so, they treat a simple fitness session as a competition; some push harder to be better than fellow health buffs and others test their boundaries in a bid to impress.
The study also found just under two thirds will forget to conduct a proper warm up, cool down and stretch routine during workouts, and 60 per cent confessed they don’t know how to carry out such a regime safely without hurting
themselves. As a result, two fifths agreed failing to warm up properly is a common cause of aches and pains.
Andrew Thomas founder of natural health company BetterYou, which commissioned the research, said: “This research
shows that people are pushing themselves to the limit without establishing a suitable warm up and, most importantly, recovery routine.
“Poor sleep patterns, muscle tension and aches and pains are all symptoms of a potential magnesium deficiency. This powerhouse mineral is vital for anyone starting a new exercise routine this New Year.”
The research also found that just over one in five agree not having enough rest days is a likely cause of injury, and, in spite of this, just one quarter will always allow themselves rest days between workouts.
“Many of us are time poor and yet recovery is essential to ensure that we can hit the next exercise session sooner and harder,” Thomas added.
“Magnesium is crucial to help speed up recovery by helping you improve muscle function and flexibility, maintain electrolyte balance and reduce fatigue. It’s also vital for skeletal strength and energy production, and will help you to sleep well after your workout through its ability to relax muscles. Supplementing magnesium transdermally (through the skin) is a superior way to absorb this mineral, and has been proven to work five times faster than tablets.”
