You made the commitment to yourself that you’re going to start exercising regularly. You read up on some tips and tricks and ways to exercise safely, so you’re ready to begin – or are you?

Many people jump into their exercise regimens without considering if it’s safe for them to do so. There are times when a physician really should be consulted before you ever even get started. Here are some of those times when getting a doctor’s approval can make all the difference in the world:

If you are 30 pounds or more over your ideal body weight, talk to your doctor. He’ll help you plan a safe routine to be sure you’re not overdoing it. Some exercises may cause too much strain and injury for you if not done properly.

If you plan to try one of the popular diet fads in conjunction with your exercise routine, run it by your physician first. They’ll evaluate the diet plan and what your exercise routine would be and they’ll help you determine if it will be safe for you to do. Some popular fads may cause you to lose too much weight too fast, or not get adequate nutrition for a strenuous exercise program, so it may end up being too harmful for you.

If you’ve ever had any type of injury in the past, a physician will help you evaluate an exercise routine that you’ll benefit from. If you’ve injured a knee, for example, some of the exercises you’re considering might cause you to re-injure your knee if your exercises aren’t done properly.

If you’re over 40, check with your doctor. As we age, our internal organs, muscles, and tendons age as well. Some exercises can be detrimental to them because they may not be as strong as they once were.

If you have any type of serious medical condition – or have had one in the past – a doctor will need to know of your exercising plans. They’ll evaluate what exercises you want to do and will discuss with you the proper way you should execute them.

Taking the step in your life to exercise is a great decision for you to make. Attempting to make your body healthy is always a positive thing, but it’s not always the best thing to do if you don’t take the initiative to find out if whether or not it’s okay for you.

Don’t risk your health starting an exercise program because someone you know can do those exercises without any problems. Everyone is different – and how their bodies works is different as well.

Now that you’ve committed to an exercise program, you’re ready to hit the equipment. Whether you’re working out in a commercial gym or on equipment at home, it’s important to follow proper safety procedures.

If you’re a member of a commercial gym, it’s a good idea to ask for a tour of the facility before you get started with your workout. Have a staff member or trainer take you through each machine and show you how to use it properly.

Make sure that every time you work out you adjust the machine for your height and the appropriate amount of weight. If you see a machine that is in disrepair, make sure not to use it and report it to the staff immediately.

When working on equipment at home, you need to make sure that you have it assembled properly. Routinely check to make sure that nuts, bolts, and screws are completely tightened. This will ensure that your machine will stay together while you’re operating it.

Loose parts can break off or fall off during use and cause you to become injured. It only takes a few seconds to inspect your equipment and make sure it’s in good working order.

Take a look at your home equipment and determine if there are any sharp edges that should be covered with padding. Also perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling machine parts.

Never try to lift more weight that you’re really capable of lifting. You should be able to lift a weight 12 times and feel fatigued at the end of that set, but not in pain. If you’re feeling pain or your muscle is exhausted before you’ve completed a set, you should choose a lighter weight.

It won’t do any good for you to lift weight that’s too heavy or use unsafe equipment in the end. Instead, you’ll likely cause an injury that will keep you from being able to work out for a while.