Some people just don’t enjoy going to the gym. Others face closures in their areas and can’t go back to their favorite gym yet. Whatever your reasons, you might be exercising at home more often nowadays. But because exercise always carries a slight risk for injury, you should follow proper safety tips even at home.

Don’t forget to warm up and cool down. Warm up your muscles with some light activity to raise your heart rate just a bit. Add some arm circles, leg swings, and neck rolls to loosen up. A proper five- to ten-minute warm-up can prevent many common injuries such as muscle strain or spasm. After your workout, stretch your muscles to help them recover.

Don’t let videos fool you. Most exercise videos feature professional fitness buffs, and they make everything look so easy! Remember that you don’t have to perform as many repetitions or work out as hard as the professionals. Use videos as a guide but follow your body’s cues. Exercise at a moderate pace until you grow accustomed to your new routine.

Don’t overdo it. If you’re hanging out at home more often and feeling bored, you might feel tempted to overdo your workout. Trying new activities is a good thing but remember to ease into new exercises cautiously.

Remember that soreness usually shows up between 24 and 48 hours after exercise. So even if you feel fine during your workout, you might regret a strenuous new activity a day or so later! Try new activities for short time periods to gauge how your body responds at first.

Don’t ignore pain. The old saying, “no pain, no gain” was actually quite irresponsible. Exercise might feel challenging or a bit uncomfortable at times. But if you feel actual pain, your body is trying to tell you something. Slow down or stop before you injure yourself.

Don’t work out alone or check in with a friend before and after workouts. Dehydration, a fall, and other mishaps can occur during exercise. Work out with your spouse, relative, or friend if you can. If you live alone, check in with someone before and after workouts.

And of course, talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine. He can advise you on the types of activities that are safe for your level of fitness and health.