Could Your Cardio Be Doing More Harm Than Good?

Is My Cardio Good for Me?

Many people ask, “What kind of cardio workout is best for my body?” The real answer to that question is this: any exercise other than your recent exercise obsession or fixation.

Runners subject themselves to meniscal tears and degenerative knees as a result of their joints constantly pounding away on the pavement. Swimmers often develop tears in their shoulder muscles, specifically the rotator cuffs. Rowers tend to have problems with their lower backs from the strenuous activity over the years. Fervent cell phone texters can suffer from tendonitis in the fingers.

People are continuously asking if their beloved cardio exercise is bad for them.

If you consistently perform the same cardio exercise, then the answer to that is simply and always “Yes.” Any one motion that is continuously repeated over long periods of time is definitely going to have a negative effect on specific areas of your body.

Take, for example, runners. Runners reap many great benefits and rewards from running, especially in the cardiac region. However, their knees are slowly but surely taking a lifelong beating.

This consequence is usually minimized in individuals who are lightweight, but the destruction will still be existent.

When individuals become obsessed with one particular exercise, such as running, they are unknowingly accommodating specific muscles. Runners have imbalanced muscles because their hamstrings and hip flexors are constantly being worked and strained. This means the buttock muscles are being underutilized and almost ignored.

For those of you who are experiencing discomfort and pain from joint trauma that is being caused by your favorite exercise, search for a few new exercises. It is always good to add new routines to your workouts. Start working some muscles that haven’t had attention in years!

The elliptical machine is a gym favorite. Every now and then, make an effort to give it a try because it is much less damaging to your knees than going for a run.If you find out that the elliptical isn’t for you, then you could always just ride a bicycle. This also helps prevent more trauma to your knees.

Switching up your routine is a great way to still get the exercise you desire while working out new muscles. Your joints and muscles will definitely be better off down the road.

As for the avid texting teenagers out there, if you’re sending or receiving more than three texts in a short time span, then pick up the phone and call your friend. It’s better to have a conversation on the phone than continuously harming and hammering away at your tendons.

Activity variety is crucial to being healthy and happy in the long run. If you have joint pain or other health issues, it’s best to consult with a doctor or physical therapist before developing an exercise plan. Washington, D.C. physical therapy expert Daniel Baumstark of PhysioDC is available to those in the area to answer all of their questions and to help them develop an individualized plan. For more information, visit PhysioDC online today.