There’s no getting around it, injuries are a pain! A pain in the physical sense, and mentally frustrating too. Exercise not only improves physical strength, but mental strength too, so feeling like you’re unable to workout when and how you want is an irritating set back on both counts. However, being injured doesn’t mean you have to shut down and surrender to months of inactivity. You just need to understand how to work smart around your limitations.

First and foremost, seek advice from a professional. Start with your GP who will direct you to a Physiotherapist, Osteopath, or Chiropractor, depending on the nature of your injury. Dr Google self-diagnosis or waiting for it to go away on its own, won’t cut it and could do more harm than good. Get checked by the experts to gain a diagnosis, to find out the dos and don’ts and crucially, to implement a rehabilitation plan with specific exercises to assist your recovery. Ask about the best types of exercise and any that should be avoided. In most cases, you will be encouraged to keep moving with careful and considerate movements that avoid aggravating your recovery.

Talk to a fitness professional – if you already attend a gym, classes or PT sessions, chat to the instructor. Any fitness instructor or personal trainer worth their salt will be happy to support you through your recovery. A good trainer comes armed with injury knowledge, alternative exercises or modifications to keep you moving safely. Tell them your diagnosis, your limitations and any specific rehab exercises you are doing. Your rehab exercises are important, and quite often they can be incorporated into your workouts to help you stay on track.

During injury recovery, it’s easy to fixate on the things you can’t do. Stay positive! Shift focus to the numerous things you CAN do. For example, a specific shoulder injury might limit the ability to press a weight overhead or hold a conventional plank position, but there are multiple options to keep your upper body strong and mobile during recovery phase. Likewise, an ankle or foot injury may take you off a regular running or HIIT course. Change tact to low impact strength training, you’ll be surprised that cardio and endurance goals can still be met without running, jumping or high impact moves!

The next time you face an injury set back, go at it with a glass is half full approach. Treat it as an opportunity to try something new, ease into a guided recovery and be patient. Once fully recovered embrace the new found diversity. Keep those rehab exercises in play (it may prevent a recurrence!) and keep exercise variety going, it will motivate you to keep moving, inspire new goals and rejuvenate your love of fitness.