Easing yourself back to the gym after the pandemic

The last eighteen months have not been great for those with active gym memberships. While the repeated closures have been necessary for the public’s health, they have also had adverse effects for people all over. As the gyms have begun to re-open, it can feel like a monumental task to get yourself back there and into the swing of things. Gyms have been open again for a while now. So, if you have not got back in the swing of things yet, how can you ease yourself back to the gym after the pandemic?

There are things you can do to make the transition easier for yourself. Read on to find out.

Prep first

If you haven’t kept up your workout schedule throughout the pandemic to make the switch more manageable, you should start by preparing yourself at home. Consider doing some home workouts or runs first.

If you generally use supplements, make sure you are stocked up.

Check out your gym gear before you just throw it in your bag. Most people’s bodies have changed through the lockdown, and so it is essential to make sure your gym gear fits properly. Looking confident is the first step to feeling confident, so make sure you feel good in the kit you have. It might be that you should consider buying a few new pieces, although at Healthy Life Essex we like to encourage people not to buy new clothes unnecessarily. However, new gym gear could be just the thing to help motivate you into going back to the gym. If you are buying new, choose good quality clothing that will last.

Interestingly, it isn’t just women who care what their gym kit looks like. Men increasingly want to be coordinated and there’s a trend now that includes a collection of men’s twin sets. The Gym King is typical of many online companies that stock a range of brands making it easy to choose what suits you.

Just go!

Don’t worry if your fitness level has changed – most peoples will have.

Most people begin to psych themselves out when thinking about going back to the gym. They get deterred by thinking about what they will be physically able to do now that their fitness level has changed.

It’s simply a matter of getting there.

Once you get there, you can work it out. You might not have your best workout, but that is okay. If you find that you reach your limit quickly, just cool down slowly and go home. Remember, it is unrealistic to expect yourself to get straight back into your old routine. Find the best way to get back into exercise after lockdown, to save yourself stress and ensure you’re safe and happy.

Start with your favourites

The easiest way to make the gym something to look forward to is to start with the exercises or aspects that you’ve missed the most. Do your favourite lifts or cardio or training class when you return.

It is about making the gym fun for you again; you need to enjoy it and not feel like it is a laborious experience.

It is also important to ensure you commit to the right type of gym. There is such a range nowadays with different offerings and different price points, so it can all be a bit confusing.

You might like to check out this great blog about the different types of gyms available. (Although this website is about the best gyms in Sydney, which are probably not relevant to you, the article is nonetheless extremely useful in terms of the overview.)

Make allowances

Be gentle on yourself if you are trying to ease yourself back to the gym after the pandemic.  Going into it too intensely after a prolonged break is the fastest way to injure yourself. Start off with lower weights and increase them incrementally.

If you are feeling more fatigued during your workouts, lower your reps. Taking more extended rest periods between sets is another way to make it easier for yourself upon your return. However, if the breaks are too long, you risk losing momentum, so it is a bit of a balancing act.

Final thoughts

Like any task, if it is enjoyable, you’ll want to do more of it. Try to implement things to make you enjoy going to the gym more, set targets or listen to podcasts, reward yourself after you go. Ease yourself back to the gym the right way. It isn’t just a physical experience; it is also mental.

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash