Every January, people jump into new fitness routines with excitement and determination—but many end up with aches, back pain, knee pain, or full-blown workout injuries that derail their goals. Most New Year fitness injuries happen because of doing too much, too soon on a body that isn’t fully prepared after the holiday season. If you’re starting a new gym routine in Cottage Grove, MN or the surrounding St. Croix Valley area, preparation matters. This article explains why Janu

January is full of good intentions. Gyms get busy, fitness apps light up, and people promise, “This is my year.” But just as routines start to feel good, many people hit a wall—often in the form of a pulled hamstring, sore low back, or cranky shoulder. Muscle strains and workout injuries are some of the top reasons New Year fitness goals get derailed. The good news? Many of these common sports injuries are preventable with the right strategy. In this article, we’ll walk throu