Get Moving! Tips for Exercising - Safely!

Sarah Krebs, DPT, and Pamela Welsh, PTA, members of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, provide tips for starting an exercise program.

Are you interested in starting an exercise program? Congratulations! Making the decision to start exercising is half the battle. Avoiding injury and staying committed – that’s the other half.

Exercise is an important part of your weight-loss program. But before you jump right in, make sure to take the proper steps to ensure your safety and long-term exercise success. Taking precautions maximizes the efficacy of your workouts while helping you stay healthy and well, which means you can stay on track to your fitness goals.

Follow these tips to expedite your journey to tip-top shape

1. Clear your workout with your doctor before starting resistive training.
2. Wear proper footwear (i.e. rubber sole sneakers).
3. Set realistic goals.
4. Start slowly.
5. Maintain proper form. Remember to seek quality, not quantity.
6. Warm up and cool down before and after every workout.
7. Stretch after every workout.
8. Focus on breathing techniques. Exhale on exertion and inhale on relaxation.
9. Monitor your heart rate and stay within target heart rate zone.

- Sarah Krebs, DPT, and Pamela Welsh, PTA