Bone & joint healthFitness & exercisePain management

5 beginner workout injuries and how to prevent them

Beginner cyclist, runner, jogger or hiker? Avoid these common injuries with some advice from an expert.

Jan, 2026
LearnOrthopedicsMusculoskeletal injury5 beginner workout injuries and how to prevent them
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Trying a new sport or workout for the first time can be intimidating. From picking out the proper athletic wear to mastering the equipment, there’s a lot that goes into working out. Not to mention the possibility of injury, which often deters people from exercising. But beginner exercise injuries are not inevitable and in many cases, can be prevented.

“Don't let the prospect of potentially getting an injury prevent you from exercising,” says Dr. Abdurrahman Kandil, MD out of StoneSprings Hospital Center in Dulles, Virginia. After all, the health benefits of routine exercise are numerous, ranging from heart health to improved mood and cognitive function.

Starting off slowly and gradually increasing exercise intensity over time will help you master that field, turf or pavement in no time.

Written byEdiva Zanker.
Medically reviewed byMegan Burke, MD.November, 2024

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