Getting back to the gym post-lockdown

Without a shadow of doubt we can all say that the past 12 months have been challenging to say the least. Since the first lockdown in March 2020 and the continuation of lockdowns throughout the year, this resulted in the closure of gyms and face to face gym sessions coming to a complete halt. As a result we have all had to resort to training from home and whether you have a fully fitted gym or not, we've had to adapt to the situation. As frustrating as it is not being able to train all my regular clients each week, it has taught me and my clients who I've continued to train virtually, that we can all try and make the most out of the situation we are in. It has most definitely allowed us to explore new ways of training and even take up something new which we may have not tried before.

However, if circumstances meant you were unable to continue training or even if you struggled with finding the motivation to do your workouts from home, then please do not beat yourself up about this. What matters is how you plan to move forward and get back on track once the gyms reopen their doors again.

So, to help you get back on track let me talk through some key points you need to consider for when you head back to the gym post-lockdown.

Ease yourself in and be patient

For many of us the intensity of our home workouts have been somewhat less to what we are normally used to compared to when we are at the gym. You have to accept that your strength and stamina will not be quite the same as before when you were regularly training and lifting heavier weights. Once you do head back to the gym though, it's important that you ease yourself back in gradually and that you are patient with your body. If you jump straight back into lifting the heaviest weight or going flat out on the treadmill, you could run the risk of injury which will only set you back even more. Your body will need time to adapt so it's best for you to gradually increase volume and intensity of your workouts week by week in order to avoid injuries and for you to train safely.

Increase your daily activity and begin training from home

For those of you who may have been unable to train during lockdown, or if you've struggled finding the motivation to exercise, one thing I would advise you to do is to start increasing your daily activity levels now. This will allow your body to gradually start getting used to moving more and if you can begin taking part in home workouts now, that will encourage and kick start your training regime prior to you hitting the gym. Your body will then start to learn how to cope with the training stimulus you place on it. This will result in your body becoming better equipped and more prepared for intense workouts at the gym. It will also help you to progress more quickly rather than starting from complete scratch in your first gym session. If you don't have any equipment at home, then sticking to bodyweight workouts will still be very effective in getting you back into exercise again. Any form of increased activity whether its a power walk, HIIT session or a Yoga workout, will definitely be a great way to kick start your training routine again.

Make gradual lifestyle changes

Not only has the lockdown forced us to change how and where we exercise, but for many of us our lives and general day to day routines have also been turned upside down. This may have resulted in changes in your sleep patterns, diet, hydration and even your wellbeing. With that being said, it's important to gradually implement positive lifestyle changes in order to really help you get back on track and prepare you for a successful return to the gym. Begin with one small gradual change at a time so you don't suddenly overwhelm yourself with too much to start with. This could be increasing your water intake each day and going to bed an hour earlier each night. The small positive changes you make now will impact greatly on how you will feel physically and mentally when you do return back to the gym.