by Therese Iknoian

Regular exercise is a smart part of a healthy lifestyle—if you go about your fitness routine safely and choose your equipment with care. Walking, for example, might be virtually injury free, but ignore traffic, and you might end up with a broken leg ... or worse.

Small considerations can make you pass or flunk any activity, even the most fun and seemingly hazard-free.

Check off your answers on the following quiz, focusing on your, or your family's, favorite activity, or the one you would like to take up. Achieve a series of "yes" answers, and you're on the way to a smart fitness lifestyle. Take a lesson from the "no" answers to safeguard your exercise routine.

This part reviews safety during exercise on foot, on wheels, and in general, while the second part takes up activity indoors (like at health clubs), and outdoors.

On Foot

Y/N - Do you always walk or run against vehicular traffic, except on a blind curve when you use the outside of the curve?

Y/N - Do you plan your routes so the wind is at your back when you return (when you're the sweatiest and susceptible to chills)?

Y/N - Do you choose quieter side streets for your runs/walks?

Y/N - Are your shoes well-cushioned, supportive and made specifically for your activity?

Y/N - Do you avoid hiking, running or walking alone in deserted or quiet areas such as in large city parks or on mountain trails?

Y/N - Do you always carry identification and enough change for an emergency telephone call, and tell someone where you're going?

Y/N - Do you look both ways when entering a trail or road so you avoid stepping into the path of someone else moving who might not be able to stop or swerve?

On Wheels

Y/N - Do you or your children wear appropriate protective helmets for bicyling or in-line skating?

Y/N - Do you cycle with traffic, obeying traffic signals?

Y/N - Do you ride your bicycles single file on the road?

Y/N - Are reflectors and lights part of your equipment and clothing, especially if you ride at night?

Y/N - Do you wear proper knee and elbow pads, plus wrist protectors while in-line skating?

In general

Y/N - Do you warmup slowly for your activity and always follow it with a cooldown and a short stretch?

Y/N - Do you know your heart's training zone and monitor your pulse during exercise?

Y/N - Do you drink plenty of water, even before you feel thirsty, since your body is dehydrated before you sense thirst?

© 1999 Therese Iknoian; All Rights Reserved