Has it been a week, a month, maybe more since you last hit the gym?

If this is you don’t worry it happens to the best of us. Sometimes it’s hard to get back on track and continue where you left off.

This blog will highlight a few hits and tips to help you get back into the gym.

Positive thinking

First of all be positive, avoid self-negative remarks. I often hear people say “oh I have been lazy” or “I am such a slacker” because they haven’t been to the gym. This is not helpful language to use. Instead you may want to discuss how excited you are to be back and looking forward to future goals.

Purpose

Revisit your reason for exercising or getting fitter. What do you want to achieve? Look back at your goal. Is this still what you’re aiming for? Do you feel like you’re making progress? Self-motivation is important and determination to work hard.

Review your expectations

Think about your expectations. A big challenge that faces most of us is how much strength or aerobic fitness we may have lost. It can be disheartening knowing you have worked so hard to get where you’re at and not being able to pick up where you left off. Remember the first few workouts will feel harder than usual, but the discomfort will soon fade away.

Listen to your body

Be consistent with movement. After a week or two things will start to feel better, as your muscles remember to move in that way. Overcoming the initial hump can be the hardest part. The best way of getting over that hump is to ease your way back into things. For your first few sessions the workout should be shorter in duration and a lower intensity. This will allow your body to get used to the movements without getting too sore. As the sessions are slightly lower intensity your body will have time to recover. Lastly easing yourself back into exercise this way will help lift the pressure of feeling that you have lost strength or aerobic fitness.

Set yourself up for success, prepare your sessions which will give you purpose in the gym, build momentum and stay positive, all this will help you get back in the gym.

We hope to see you soon.

Best of luck! Alice Peat from Acresfield.