After what has seemed like years, gyms across the UK have reopened as from 12 April, as well as non-essential retail and the nations bars, pubs, and restaurants fortunate enough to have outdoor seating.
However, for many who have become accustomed to being surrounded by far fewer people during the lockdown, returning to the gym could be anxiety-inducing. We have a look at a few ways to ease yourself back into your old gym routine, how to ease the anxieties, and how to avoid any injuries from rushing to your old routine too soon.
Start prepping now
Start by preparing yourself physically so that the stroll to the gum doesn’t leave you short of breath before you’ve even got inside. Do a little bit of exercise at home, go for a brisk walk or run, or find some online classes to raise your fitness levels.
It’s a great time to also get your supplement and food cupboard back in order, and get your gym kit checked, clean, and ready to wear. You’ll feel better for being prepared when it comes to your first gym session after such a long break.
Just turn up
After months away from all the equipment at the gym, you might feel exhausted just thinking about the weights and cardio sessions. The best thing to do is to simply turn up to the gym. You don’t have to aim for any new personal bests or have a super productive workout.
Avoid putting any extra pressure on yourself, and count it as a win if all you manage to do, to begin with, is turn up at the gym and familiarise yourself with everything again to help build up a routine of attending the gym.
If you manage to get a good workout too, then that’s a bonus.
Start with the exercise you missed most
Get motivated by thinking about the exercise, routine, or gym equipment you have missed the most, then go and do it! The gym should be a fun and uplifting experience, and certainly not a chore to feel anxious about.
Lower your lifts
Going too heavy and too fast is a quick way to a muscle injury, so be sure to go easy on yourself and build it up slowly. You need to ease yourself back physically as well as mentally. Begin at about half of what your original lifts were, and stick with that for a week. Also, lower your reps to avoid getting quickly fatigued, and take slightly longer rests in-between.
Enjoy it as much as possible
As with anything, the more you enjoy it, the more you will want to do more of it. So focus on the elements that make the experience more enjoyable, such as setting goals, making a workout playlist, doing more of your favourite lifts, just as long as it’s fun to get back to the gym!
If you’re looking for an 8-week personal training program to ease yourself in, get in touch!