Being more physically active can help you feel better, deal with stress more easily, and handle day-to-day activities more comfortably. Before you start a fitness program, here are some tips to help make sure you're exercising safely.

Fill out the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+). If you answer yes to any question on page 2 or 3, you need to fill out the Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (ePARmed-X+). Ask your health care provider or qualified exercise professional which activities are best for you. If you are taking medication, you may want to ask your health care provider how physical activity will affect your prescriptions.

After you start exercising, stop your activity immediately if you experience angina symptoms (such as chest pain or pressure), feel faint or light-headed, or become extremely out of breath. If you have any of these symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or other emergency services immediately.

• Chest Problems
• Coronary Artery Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart
• Heart Health: Walking for a Healthy Heart

• Use equipment that fits you properly, is sturdy and not broken or worn out

• Use equipment that's designed for safety. For example, if you're planning to bike, run or walk at night, use lights or wear a reflective vest

• Include a proper warm-up and cool­-down with your activity

• Listen to your body and adjust your activity. Stop if you're feeling especially tired or if you feel pain or extreme discomfort

• It's common to feel tired when you're more active, and this is when injuries can happen. To avoid injury, gradually build up how often you're active, your level of effort and the length of time you exercise

• Drink fluids before, during and after activity to avoid dehydration

• Breathe normally during resistance exercises

• Use a steady speed when you're doing resistance exercises. Always use proper techniques and only use a range of motion that is pain-free

• Do a light activity one day, then a heavy activity the next. Alternatively, you can use one group of muscles one day and another group the next day. This gives your body plenty of time to recover, repair, and rebuild

• Check with a qualified exercise professional to make sure you're doing the proper form of physical activities. This prevents injuries by reducing stress on muscles, ligaments and joints

• Dress properly for the seasons and weather conditions to avoid overheating in the summer and being too cold in the winter. Wear rain gear, sunscreen or  hat when needed

• Only be active in safe areas. At night, choose areas that are well lit. If you can, avoid heavy traffic

• If you're running, choose a soft surface like grass or a wood chip trail, instead of pavement. This helps avoid injuries

• Do activities with a friend, family member, or group. If you're by yourself, tell a friend or family member the route you're taking and how long you plan to go

• You can prevent injuries by doing moderate exercises regularly. This is much safer than trying to squeeze very intense activities only into your weekends

• Stay active year-round. For instance, do gardening in the spring and snow shoveling in the winter. This helps avoid injuries that can happen when your body hasn't been active for a while

Last Updated: June 2021