Now that the 2016 Summer Olympics are well underway, we have been glued to our televisions and completely fascinated by all of the talented athletes showing their strength and skill. The beautiful backdrop that Brazil provides, coupled with the emotion in all of the fans faces, reminds us why the world is so dedicated to the Olympic Games, year after year.

From the world’s fastest swimmers, to the most agile of runners and soccer players, it’s not hard to find yourself suddenly motivated to get off the couch and into the gym. There is nothing more motivating than the look of triumph on any Olympic winner’s face, so we can’t blame you if you feel like lacing up those sneakers and hitting the pavement at any given moment.

One quick tip before you awaken your inner Olympian, however. It’s important to remember that the athletes participating in the Olympic games take care of their bodies better than anyone else in the world. They pay close attention to how their bodies feel, prepare it carefully for practice or competition, and make sure to treat it well following exertion at any level, and you should too!

Dr. Gena Chiropractic fully endorses your Olympic spirit, and because we care about your wellbeing from the inside out, we’re sharing our workout tips, fit for an Olympic athlete!

• Fuel your body.

You wouldn’t take your car on a road trip without fueling up first, would you? Make sure to get some energy into your own tank before exerting any during exercise. Your body, and metabolism, will thank you.

• Hydrate.

And then hydrate some more. Avoid injury and dehydration by keeping cool water with you at all times. It’s still Summer after all!

• Stretch

Some people find stretching before a workout to fall hand-in-hand with how long they last during training, and we agree! Stretching before a workout not only helps warm up your muscles to prevent injury, it provides that sense of calm before the energy storm. Just make sure not to stretch a cold muscle, and get a quick warm-up in first. Jumping jacks are a great way to get yourself warmed up quickly! Post-workout stretching is also key to recovery, just take it slow!

• Rest

Even the best athletes in the world need their time to decompress and relax. Listen to your body – if you’ve got a little fight left in you, then by all means – go for it! But on those days where your body feels as if lacing up your sneakers would take too much effort – listen! Your body knows best, and will always tell you the truth!

Most of all, remember to visit Dr. Gena Chiropractic in Plantation, Florida, just 15 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale, to continue taking a proactive approach to your body’s wellness. And should you find yourself a bit sore, we’ve got you covered!

Remember, your health is in your hands, and Dr. Gena’s hands are here to help! Go Team USA!