If you're at all interested in weightlifting or building muscle, you've probably noticed that there's a lot of information available. Whether you're at your local bookstore or are surfing the Internet, there's plenty of resources to look at. Unfortunately, too little of those resources are devoted to preventing injuries. Most trainees, especially when starting out, would probably find information on injury prevention a little boring. They probably assume that they don't need to learn how to prevent injuries and would rather spend their time learning the latest steps on how to get ripped. They don't take the time, however, they could suffer a serious setback down the road.



With this in mind, here are three quick tips for avoiding injury:

1. Stretch on a regular basis. It would be hard to overstate the importance of stretching if you want to prevent injuries while training. If you train consistently without doing any stretching, your muscles and tendons can become short and taut. This will significantly increase your chances of injury. Stretching, on the other hand, lengthens the muscles to increase flexibility. Have you ever seen bodybuilders who are really huge that can barely bend over to touch their toes? A consistent program of gentle stretching can keep you from becoming one of those guys. (note: Instead of outright pain, you're looking to experience a mild tension. Overstretching can cause injuries as well, but don't let that stop you. There are lots of good resources on stretching.)

2. Don't lift beyond your means. You've probably been told not to spend beyond your means, right? Likewise, you shouldn't try to lift weights that are beyond your abilities. You need to challenge your muscles, but overdoing it can quickly lead to an injury. Forget about trying to rush through your program or trying to impress others in the gym. Gradually increase your weights, and you'll get there eventually.

3. Consider using joint supplements While the exact effects may not be proven yet, there is enough evidence for you to at least consider some of the supplements. Fish oil in particular is highly recommended for reducing inflammation, and the food and drug administration now acknowledges that Omega-3s (like those in fish oils) may reduce the risk of heart disease. You should also consider taking flax oil, glucosamine, and similar products that help reduce inflammation and protect your joints and connective tissue.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it will get you started on the road to preventing injuries.