Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a fitness enthusiast who enjoys working out regularly, getting sidelined by an injury can be frustrating. As you allow your body to heal and recover, you’ll have to forgo many of the exercises you once practiced regularly. Yet, you don’t have to become sedentary. There are plenty of ways to stay active while overcoming a sports injury—explore some practical ideas below.

How Can I Stay Fit After a Sports Injury?

1. Cross Train

If you’re a runner with a hamstring injury, you probably won’t be able to hit the pavement while you’re recovering. Yet, with the approval of your doctor, you may still be able to focus on other aspects of fitness. For instance, you could work on strengthening your upper body with weights or take to the mat to do core work. Conversely, if you have an upper-body injury, now may be a smart time to step back from weight training to focus on cardio exercises, such as jogging.

2. Choose Light Workouts

Some injuries can even make cross-training challenging. In these cases, especially light workouts can help you make fitness a priority. Try light activity such as pool aerobics and moderate walks to keep you in shape as you recover.

3. Stretch & Recover

To prevent your muscles from becoming stiff during periods of inactivity, continue to stretch with a physician’s go-ahead. Consider taking a gentle yoga class or following along to videos online. Keep up with any recommendations from your doctor, whether that’s foam rolling to loosen stiff tissue, applying heat or cold therapy, or attending rehab.

If you’re an athlete experiencing persistent pain or injury, turn to the professionals at IMUA Orthopedics Sports & Health. Serving Honolulu, HI, this center offers sports medicine, functional nutritional medicine, and orthopedic surgery to help patients maintain optimal wellness and achieve their fitness goals. Explore a full list of treatments online or call (808) 521-8170 to schedule an appointment.