CrossFit is a great way to get and stay in shape. However, no sport is without the possibility of injuries, and CrossFit is no exception. With that in mind, here are the top three CrossFit injuries so that you know what they are and, more importantly, so that you also know how to avoid them:
#1: Back Injuries
A majority of CrossFit moves rely on your back muscles to execute them properly. By putting too much pressure on your back, you can pull muscles, herniate discs, and more, all of which can stop your exercise routine dead in its tracks until you recover.
The best way to avoid a back injury is to make sure you have proper alignment. If you aren’t sure what is proper for the exercises you are engaged in, ask a personal trainer as it is always better to be safe than sorry. Also, don’t lift more than you can handle so that you don’t overload your muscles or spine and do some major damage as a result.
#2: Shoulder Injuries
Another all-too-common CrossFit injury is to your shoulders. You can easily tear your rotator cuff with some of the most standard CrossFit moves, something that is both painful and costly to repair.
The key to avoiding this injury is to stretch your chest muscles between sets so that they don’t pull too much on the shoulder area. Keep them limber and you reduce the risk of injury.
#3: Knee Injuries
Have you ever felt pain or tenderness in your knee after performing squats or doing other CrossFit moves? If so, you’re not alone as a large number of CrossFit enthusiasts have suffered this type of injury.
To prevent damage to your knee, use a foam roller on your upper leg to help release any tight muscles. Secondarily, you also want to build up the muscles in your glutes and legs so that they properly support your knee, reducing your risk of hurting this area of your body.
These are the three most common CrossFit injuries, and now you know how to avoid them.
Have you ever suffered from an injury while doing CrossFit? If so, what was the injury and what do you do now to stop it from happening again?