If you’ve taken a break from your fitness routine, you may be wondering how to return to the gym after a long time.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. This is true when it comes to things we love, and things that are good for us. It’s always a good time to get back into your flow with exercise.
Maybe your schedule got too busy, or you just got burnt out with the gym. No matter the reason, here’s how to return in a healthy, efficient, and enjoyable way.
Return with a Plan, a Purpose, and Patience
When you’re ready to return to the gym after a long time away, you may be at a bit of a loss. How should you return? Should you go hard, and try to make up lost time? In most cases, it’s good to start slow. Give your body time to warm up to the return.
Also make sure you have a workout plan in place. Have an idea of what you’re going to do when you get back. This aspect of your plan ties into another important element of fitness — purpose.
What’s your purpose for coming back? Some people do it for the love of the gym. But more specifically, what do you hope to accomplish? Do you want to burn fat? Improve your endurance? Get stronger? Put on muscle? Improve mobility? Know your purpose, and keep it in mind while you work out.
Finally, be patient. Those of us who have been in prolonged exercise routines can sometimes feel a sense of concern upon our return. How will we measure up compared to the way we were before? The key here is to be patient with yourself.
Remember, the first step is to get that first workout in, and then proceed from there. Don’t worry about being the person you were before, or matching the numbers of your old routine right away. Just work out in a scientific and safe way, and be proud of yourself for making your return.
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