After taking time off from regular exercise, it is important to be smart when you are returning to a routine. Here are 5 tips to optimize your success as you ease into your new routine.
1. Listen to Your Body
When you are starting to ease into your routine, you may experience fatigue sooner than before. Have compassion for yourself and do not push too hard. Be realistic with your workouts. If you try to go back to the same weight you were lifting, or running the same mileage, you may end up injured. It is smarter to start off slower and then see how your body reacts. Muscles may be sore and need more time between workouts.
2. Ensure for Proper Rest
Between workouts, program out recovery days or recovery exercises. Trainers at PRO can help you and give you more specific recovery modalities. Long walks, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, cold showers, proper fueling, and sufficient sleep are examples of ways to optimize recovery.
3. Hire a Personal Trainer
Personal Trainers at PRO are extremely knowledgeable and are an amazing resource to utilize. A trainer can customize your workouts based on your fitness level, any injuries, and any pain you are feeling. A personal trainer will coach you through the movements and ensure you are using correct form. They will also create a personalized program for your specific goals and starting point.
4. Try something new
Now is a great time to start a new program or start training for a race or event. Setting a realistic goal can help you ensure that you will stick with your new routine. When creating your goal, aim to make your goal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely).
5. Create a schedule
You are more likely to be successful in your routine if you create specific days and times for your workouts. This will be an appointment for yourself that you schedule into your schedule. You are worth it! Make time for yourself.
Getting back into exercise after taking time off can be challenging. Be kind to yourself, consider hiring a PRO trainer, try something new, ensure proper rest, and create your schedule to be most successful.
By Emily Werner, Personal Trainer at PRO Club
Emily enjoys helping others reach their full potential in life through functional training. She is well experienced in working with a diverse population and a variety of goals – from training for physical transformation to training to live pain-free. She focuses a lot of attention on the psychology of training and transformation to help her clients achieve their goals.
