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Going Back To The Gym

The gym will soon be a facility that is open again to the public.

It’s been a long wait. Some have flourished without it. Some have struggled. But what is for sure, is that they will be a welcome return for a lot of fitness enthusiasts.

And while they may be slightly different to begin with, the improved hygiene regimes, proper replacement of equipment, as well as improved social distancing, I feel these procedures that are put in place will be a good thing. I feel it can help take the gym environment and enjoyment, to the next level.

While many of you (me included) will be very excited to get back to the gym, I feel an ‘approach with caution’ should be exercised.

If you’re like me, over the past 4 months, you will have been looking for new ways to exercise that don’t involve the standard gym equipment. You’ll have tried bodyweight training, resistance bands, running, cycling, walking and maybe even bought a kettlebell or two. You’ll have trained hard, and you’ll have discovered that you can train from home…..when required to do so.

But what happens when you get back into the gym? As we all know, if you want to train effectively and as efficiently as possible, a gym is the place to do it. That’s the reason they are around. It keeps things straight forward. It makes life easier. And we all want that, right?

I’m excited about gyms re opening. And whether you feel that is sad or not, is entirely your opinion. I’m sure some people feel the same way as me.

But there is something they should be wary of before entering the gym for the first time in 4 months……

Approach your first workout with caution. Make sure you are ready to feel some aches and pains, but not too much. I’d imagine a lot of people will go back to the gym, hoping that they are just as fit as they were pre lockdown, and get back into their old routine immediately. Unfortunately, it won’t be as easy as that.

While you may well still be ‘fit’, over the course of lockdown, you will have been training at a different intensity, with different equipment and weights, since the last time you set foot in a gym.

Your body has adapted to a different stimulus. When we get back to the gym, we need to allow our body to adapt to a new stimulus again.

So, my advice is DON’T go at 100% during your first full workout in the gym. If you do, you not only risk aching so much you won’t be able to train again for a week, but you could also risk injury. Your body isn’t ready for that yet. You need to ease back into it, and let it know you’re back, and you mean business.

Go at 60 -70% of your maximum capacity in your first session. Yes, I know you want to get back to it asap, but with this more cautious approach, you will thank yourself in the long run.

Then a few sessions back into your routine, you’ll be back to it.

Approach with caution, and your body will thank you. No injuries. Minimal aches and pains.

Yep, that’s right! Let’s get back in the game!!