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Doctors seeing more 'Weekend Warrior' injuries, urging people to make working out a routine

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Posted at 5:40 AM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 15:04:46-04

As football fans have been focused on the NFL Draft, it is also impossible not to notice the training these athletes have been going through.

Their lifestyle is not something that you can knock out on a Saturday afternoon and that is something doctors want people to remember.

Health professionals at the Mayo Clinic have seen a rise in the number of people they call 'Weekend Warriors' come into their offices.

They describe a 'Weekend Warrior' as someone who does not have a regular exercise regimen, but tries to squeeze one large workout into their weekend.

"It seems like we don't have time for anything - let alone ourselves," said Dr. Anikar Chhabra.

As we get busier and busier, people are picking what to cut out or what to cut corners on and it seems that exercise is the first one to go.

"We're seeing a lot more of this in our culture," Dr. Chhabra explained. "'...Let's go out and try to work out. We'll work out for four hours on Saturday rather than working out 45 minutes or an hour every day.'"

Dr. Chhabra said he sees plenty of injuries from these 'Weekend Warrior' soldiers more often now.

"We see Achilles tendon ruptures, bicep ruptures, rotary cuff tears," he described.

To avoid injury and to actually see results, Dr. Chhabra said your best weapon is a realistic routine.

"Starting small and working your way up is really the right answer - especially for people just getting back into exercise," Dr. Chhabra explained.

Our weather is also an ally in this fight, especially in the early morning hours right now.

"It's easier to be in a place like Phoenix, where you have more access to outdoor activities...hiking, walking, and you're not limited by the weather," Dr. Chhabra said.

However, do not just stick to one thing. Experts said cross training, meaning working different muscles each day, is how your body wins the battle.