GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – If you put health as a top goal in 2026, you’re not alone, as a visit to any gym will tell you.
It’s a great goal to get healthier, but health experts are warning people to be careful as they pursue their New Year’s resolutions, citing a spike in preventable exercise injuries that occurs each January.
While exercising more ranks as the most common New Year’s resolution this year, medical professionals say they see an increase in injuries during the first month of the year as people jump into new workout routines.
Social media trends drive injury increases
Experts say social media drives the rise in injuries, particularly with certain exercise trends like the kettlebell swing challenge. The trend involves doing 100 swings a day for a month, but that can cause overuse injuries.
Experts say that sort of routine can cause tendonitis, especially in the biceps and shoulder muscles.
Doctors also see a spike in knee injuries this time of year, especially if someone suddenly takes up running.
Start slow to prevent injuries
To help avoid injuries, experts recommend starting slow with no more than three days a week and incorporating rest into workout regimens. Rest periods are when the body starts to build muscle.
Experts also advise against following social media trends and instead recommend starting with basics like body weight exercises and core work. They suggest considering getting a trainer to help keep technique on track.
Experts recommend starting with higher repetitions and lower weights.
“Once you have the fundamentals like that, your core is strong, you know, lower back is strong, your shoulders are good, then you can start to kind of play with increasing weights,” said Dr. Andrew Carbone, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Orlando Health.
When to see a doctor
Experts say people can expect to be sore after starting a new workout routine. However, if pain prevents completing the exercise plan or affects movement, or if swelling accompanies the pain, it’s important to see a doctor.
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